JohnM wrote:
yeah, I don't get the whole secrecy thing with injuries.
The bookies usually know what's going on, the opposition clubs always know what's going on... the only people in the dark are the supporters. Not sure how playing funny buggers with injury reports is meant to benefit the club really.
It's designed to add mystique to the world of AFL footy. AFL coaches generally are the most egotistical, overated control freaks around. They like to construct a veneer of mysterious and obscure structures and scenarios to pump up their own tyres and add credibility to what essentially is a people management role.
The AFL scene is controlled by ex players and designed to protect the interests of their mates.
A person I'm familiar with recently applied for a TAC coaching role. He was beaten by an ex-player who was infinitely less qualified. This person had in fact just been 'released" by an AFL club as an assistant coach due to his inabilities. If you looked objectively at the experience, coaching knowledge and reputations of the 2 applicants, the ex player wouldn't have got to first base. But let's face it, it's hard to keep the falsified importance of the role afloat when "anyone" can do or understand it.
Personally I've seen several similar scenarios where ex players are heavily favoured for coaching or development roles.
To give you an insight into the thinking of some AFL coaches, have a look at Malthouse. I was told by an ex Collingwood assistant that Collingwood held a review of their coaching set up every year however, Malthouse refused to have his position reviewed. This is the same person who has a rule that if he goes off tap in the box (which he often does), no one is to look at him or acknowledge it afterwards.
So John, dont expect any logical reasons for a farcical ruse such as false injury reports. Just expect that the coaches truly believe that the rest of the world really believes what they say. After all, they are the keepers and controllers of the game.

End rant.