mandy wrote:
Tanking is a most disgusting and repugnant part of our game. But it happens. It has to happen due to the bullshit system the AFL has set up for all clubs.
Collingwood did it. Carlton did it.
We're not the only ones and we won't be the last.
But please, you guys having a go a Libba for saying it out loud is kinda pathetic. Should we go back and count the number of tanking threads this board has generated in the past 2-3 years?
I don't doubt that you're right and this was a good post, but for the Libba part.
Personally, I think that the interview was a beat up by Hutchy, where he repeatedly asked the same questions in different ways, until he got the answer he wanted. Libba just wants the publicity and the $ he was undoubtedly paid for his comments.
Libba has now officially joined the pantheon of bitter ex-footballers who think that the game owes them a living for the rest of their lives. He can't get a job, so he'll grab a headline.
He may have been in the box, but he gave no definitive "evidence" of tanking, despite the ridiculous claims of Hutchy and TFS. He gave an opinion based on a "feeling". The interview would actionable at law, but for the fact that it would only drag the issue through the Courts and the papers and it would be better for Carlton (and probably the AFL) if it was quickly forgotten.
Libba claimed that Carlton played players last year that weren't ready for senior footy, were ambiguous about on field success for the last few weeks and sent others off for operations. Who doesn't do this at the end of a season regardless of a priority pick? The point in playing youngsters and rehibilitating established players is to plan for the future.
His comments also overlook the playing of Walker (whilst injured) and Whitnall, who admittedly was probably just getting "thank you" games.
In the last 5 years Collingwood, Carlton, North, Richmond, Essendon*, Melbourne, Hawthorn and St Kilda have all benefitted from the priority pick system. I have no doubt that all these clubs ensured that they wouldn't miss out.
Paul Roos was a bit rich with his sniping last week, given his clubs history of financial and other aid from the AFL. Not to mention the fact that he clearly did what was alleged, it is just that none of us really care.
The story about Libba was a beat up of no value and it would be sad for him if he wasn't so obnoxiously bitter and pathetic. It every ex-footballer with a gripe got air time of that type, there would be a lot of litigation to follow....
The really funny thing that I found about the interview, based on Libba's comments, was that not only did he have no proof or even hint of proof of tanking by the coaching panel; He pretty much described in detail exactly how any coaching panel would feel at the end of a long and unsuccessful season: They weren't trying to lose, but weren't upset if they didn't win.
If the coaching staff not being upset by losing a couple of games is Libba's proof of tanking, then he really has some issues.
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'we was playing the kids not tanking' 
