TonyK
CibbuanoMalthouse wants more on the bench
June 22nd 2008 21:58
COLLINGWOOD coach Mick Malthouse has called on the AFL to allow more interchange players after his side was reduced to 20 fit men in the third term of their 10-point loss to the Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome on Sunday night.
Wiith Ben Reid and fellow forward Anthony Rocca on the bench with foot and ankle injuries respectively, the Bulldogs took control kicking four goals in a nine-minute burst before setting up a match-winning lead early in the final term.
The Magpies made a late charge in the final term with Dane Swan's goal at the 20-minute mark getting Collingwood to within six points at the 20-minute mark.
But the Bulldogs held firm in the dying stages to prevail 15.9 (99) to 13.11 (89).
Malthouse said the injuries prevented his side from getting back into the match.
"No doubt today we just didn't have the flexibility in the end to hold on and get back in the game at the right time or put more pressure on, but that's the luck of the draw under today's rules," Malthouse said.
Malthouse said it was time for the AFL to seriously consider Richmond coach Terry Wallace's suggestion earlier in the season that players that suffer serious injuries during a game be replaced by a fit player from outside the selected 22 to ensure a level playing field.
"I'm of the opinion that when members pay their money, they want to see the team to be able to play - win, lose or draw - but at least play with an even playing-field if you can possibly get that," he said.
"It's very difficult to win with 20 players, it's very, very difficult because it throws your whole lot out."
"There is almost a case for the bench being enlarged to cater for injured players but you would have to convince the powers that be that a player has a legitimate injury and can't come back on."
"But when members pay their money and see their team win, lose or draw, they at least want to see them play on an even playing field (in terms of the number of fit players each side has on the bench)."
Wiith Ben Reid and fellow forward Anthony Rocca on the bench with foot and ankle injuries respectively, the Bulldogs took control kicking four goals in a nine-minute burst before setting up a match-winning lead early in the final term.
The Magpies made a late charge in the final term with Dane Swan's goal at the 20-minute mark getting Collingwood to within six points at the 20-minute mark.
But the Bulldogs held firm in the dying stages to prevail 15.9 (99) to 13.11 (89).
Malthouse said the injuries prevented his side from getting back into the match.
"No doubt today we just didn't have the flexibility in the end to hold on and get back in the game at the right time or put more pressure on, but that's the luck of the draw under today's rules," Malthouse said.
Malthouse said it was time for the AFL to seriously consider Richmond coach Terry Wallace's suggestion earlier in the season that players that suffer serious injuries during a game be replaced by a fit player from outside the selected 22 to ensure a level playing field.
"I'm of the opinion that when members pay their money, they want to see the team to be able to play - win, lose or draw - but at least play with an even playing-field if you can possibly get that," he said.
"It's very difficult to win with 20 players, it's very, very difficult because it throws your whole lot out."
"There is almost a case for the bench being enlarged to cater for injured players but you would have to convince the powers that be that a player has a legitimate injury and can't come back on."
"But when members pay their money and see their team win, lose or draw, they at least want to see them play on an even playing field (in terms of the number of fit players each side has on the bench)."
| 58 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
