HOW AFL CLUBS ARE “DUDDING” AND DISRESPECTING FANS WITH INJURY REPORTS
0How AFL clubs are “dudding” and disrespecting fans with injury reports
David King has called on AFL clubs to show greater transparency when it comes to player injuries. King says fans are being disrespected for not being told the full story regarding player injuries and believes the AFL must crackdown on clubs when it comes to injury reports and the releasing of teams. “I think we should have a greater understanding of where the player is at.” he told SEN Breakfast. “The only people they’re hiding this from is the fan. “Opposition clubs have a great education of where they’re at because they’re watching training. They’ll say. ‘we think he’s going to play. or we don’t think he’s going to play. or he might have restricted minutes. or he might play a different role’. that’ll be on (Jake) Stringer and (Zach) Merrett. “Essendon will know. their opponents Collingwood will know. the bookmakers know because they know everything. they get information from inside of clubs and from trackwalkers. “The only people that get short changed on all this is the fan. “The AFL have to do something about the naming of teams. the constant late change scenario in my opinion is disrespectful to the fan. “I think the AFL have to crackdown on teams just putting these fictitious names.” SEN Breakfast co host Kane Cornes is in complete agreement: “100 per cent.” “I’m looking at the teams that were named yesterday (Thursday). it doesn’t even give you a reason they’re missing. “Riley Garcia to pluck a name from the Western Bulldogs. he’s out in brackets ‘injured’. Tim English ‘injured’. that used to say Tim English ‘hamstring’. “Rory Sloane … we know he’s had surgery to repair an ACL. it doesn’t even say ‘knee’. “You’re right. the disrespect it shows to fans. and we went through a stage where I think it improved. “We had officials even mid game speaking to the broadcaster after half time saying. ‘such and such has been subbed out. he’s got this. we think it’ll be this’ and it was information to the fan. The American sports do it better than anyone. “They absolutely take the mickey. AFL clubs. with their fans in terms of injuries.” Cornes is curious to see whether Essendon star Merrett plays on Anzac Day after being named on Thursday night. “If we still think (Zach) Merrett is three to four weeks away. if he doesn’t play this week and he doesn’t play next week. should the club be fined?” he asked. “I think so. You’re just dudding the fan.” King replied. Essendon released an injury report on Thursday suggesting Merrett was just about to begin on track work. four weeks post surgery.
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