bondiblue wrote:
Let me say it again, incase you missed it.
You can bag Vossy, and the club all you like, but put the Elijah issue aside till we all know more of what actually occurred, and don't use his unfortunate situation to serve your hypothesis, that this episode proves those who lead the club and Voss as coach need to be replaced. Keep them separate for Elijah's sake at this time.
I have no doubt the fact that you knew Elijah had a legacy of dealing with mental demons has influenced your assertion; that he wasn't right to be on the ground. I don't doubt that upon looking at his performance, and combining what you, and I know, has the look and feel of your assertion, if you look for it. Some didn't see it. Some didn't jump to conclusions. I admit, I thought the same, soon after the fact, certainly not at half time.
Like BT posted, he has had interactions with Elijah and he naturally a jittery type. To make sure, I viewed his game last week and imo he showed the same movements he nade on Thursday, waving the hands, running, stopping, jumping, pointing, typical of the Elijah attributes.
But I didn't, and don't know for sure what was going on. I put two and two together, because its really difficult to not have any possessions after 3/4ers.
Now, try imagine Elijah hid his condition, knowing it may have been "coming on". Is this plausible?If so, would it be reasonable to believe Elijah is to blame for convincing coaches he was fine and committed to making amends, and the coach honours his request in the belief Elijah may just turn it on in a burst?
If that is the case, now imagine he has to read that the team that saved him from the scrap heap, after he was rightfully delisted, is now the blame for his performance on Thursday? Not only that, the club who stood beside him, and won applause from the whole football world for its efforts and strategy, is being doused in petrol and set alight, claimed guilty, before it is given the opportunity to proves its innocence.
How do you think Elijah would feel about that? What about his brother? What about his team mates who stood by him? They are being blamed too. B;amed by people who weren't in the rooms before the game, and in the huddles. They had a job to do and win a game for its supporters.
Something went wrong. We have to find out what that something was, and not bring out the noose before we know who is guilty or not.
Fac: Elijah felt guilty for letting Vossy down after the game. We all saw the footage of that, whilst medal was being called, tapped Vossy on the shoulder, and looked to me like he was profusely apologising, and Vossy comforted him. It wasn't the other way around. I guess you see what you want to see too, but that applies to all of us. We just don't know for sure.
From what I know about mental conditions, most patients find ways to hide their condition, for years. They become experts to avoid being found out and being exposed, or have everything they love taken away from them. They laugh things off, divert away form their idiosyncrasy, remain quiet and hide, disappearing before the illness got worse.
Now, back to that coach who wont be there next year. The one braithy mentioned 2 years ago. And braithy, mate, posters didnt bag you for your opinion on Voss, they had a laugh that a couple ex AFL players having a beer around a fire were the proof of your assertion. You took offence to that. Keogh, you have been consistent with your displeasure of the elite businessmen who run our club like a business and not like a football club. Hence our dismal failure. Both of you have the right and the evidence to suggest you are right. The wins and losses say so.
But the Elijah thing is something really unusual, in fact, I can't recall anything like this ever, but it was only a couple weeks ago I was chatting to a mate (from a prominent AFL family) in Singapore, by the pool, about Shane Tuck's suicide, and the multitude of head victims the game causes, that are never talked about. This case needs to be unpacked so we can all learn and move ahead. If Carlton is to blame for his spisode, or lacking duty of care, they will no doubt pay for it dearly. Lets wait and see.
Well said, I was thinking much the same thing about Elijah, his past playing performances and they way he "normally" appears on the ground. The way he has learnt to hide his issues from his family and close friends.
Stick your boots into Voss and the club all you like, but don't use Elijah as your excuse.