southerncross
22-04-2007, 08:09 AM
Dogs ponder head puzzle (http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,21598022%255E19742,00.html)
BULLDOGS midfielder Matthew Boyd says the players are still coming to grips with the new rules banning head-high contact, after teammate Robert Murphy was reported during the Dogs' win over Richmond.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5456046,00.jpg Cool character: Robert Murphy at Port Melbourne beach at the Bulldogs recovery session, faces a nervous wait after he was reported on Friday night against Richmond. Picture: Andrew Brownbill
Murphy's report seems likely to be thrown out, but he faces a nervous weekend before the match review panel assesses the incident and releases its findings tomorrow afternoon. He did everything in his power to avoid Andrew Raines on Friday night once it became clear the diving Tiger would beat him to the ball.
He clipped the Richmond defender with his knee-thigh and was reported for making forceful contact to Raines' head.
Boyd was reported in 2004 for unduly rough play after Kangaroo Brent Harvey staged for a free kick, but the charge was withdrawn before it got to the tribunal.
He said yesterday players were still trying to find the balance between retaining aggression and avoiding suspension.
"You don't want to get reported, but it's a fine line," he said. "You can either not go, and look as soft as anything, or go for it and get reported.
"The rule is there to protect the guy with his head over the ball and I think it's a fair enough rule and hopefully Murph gets off because we really need him.
"The coaches understand guys are going to be a bit more tentative when someone has his head over the ball and that's understandable.
"Rocket (coach Rodney Eade) wants us to get in there first. He doesn't want us to get reported, but he wants us to go as hard as we can at the ball. If that's what happens, that's what happens."
The report was the sole negative for the Bulldogs, buoyed by the re-emergence of Luke Darcy and Murphy, who both kicked four goals.
But Chris Grant, listed as out for another 7-9 weeks after groin surgery, admitted on Friday night he was unsure of his comeback date.
Grant said that because the injury was rare it would keep him out for a minimum of 10 weeks, so he would have to wait on how it responded to rehabilitation.
Darcy said he was happy to start kicking goals and his confidence about eventually hitting form had not diminished.
BULLDOGS midfielder Matthew Boyd says the players are still coming to grips with the new rules banning head-high contact, after teammate Robert Murphy was reported during the Dogs' win over Richmond.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5456046,00.jpg Cool character: Robert Murphy at Port Melbourne beach at the Bulldogs recovery session, faces a nervous wait after he was reported on Friday night against Richmond. Picture: Andrew Brownbill
Murphy's report seems likely to be thrown out, but he faces a nervous weekend before the match review panel assesses the incident and releases its findings tomorrow afternoon. He did everything in his power to avoid Andrew Raines on Friday night once it became clear the diving Tiger would beat him to the ball.
He clipped the Richmond defender with his knee-thigh and was reported for making forceful contact to Raines' head.
Boyd was reported in 2004 for unduly rough play after Kangaroo Brent Harvey staged for a free kick, but the charge was withdrawn before it got to the tribunal.
He said yesterday players were still trying to find the balance between retaining aggression and avoiding suspension.
"You don't want to get reported, but it's a fine line," he said. "You can either not go, and look as soft as anything, or go for it and get reported.
"The rule is there to protect the guy with his head over the ball and I think it's a fair enough rule and hopefully Murph gets off because we really need him.
"The coaches understand guys are going to be a bit more tentative when someone has his head over the ball and that's understandable.
"Rocket (coach Rodney Eade) wants us to get in there first. He doesn't want us to get reported, but he wants us to go as hard as we can at the ball. If that's what happens, that's what happens."
The report was the sole negative for the Bulldogs, buoyed by the re-emergence of Luke Darcy and Murphy, who both kicked four goals.
But Chris Grant, listed as out for another 7-9 weeks after groin surgery, admitted on Friday night he was unsure of his comeback date.
Grant said that because the injury was rare it would keep him out for a minimum of 10 weeks, so he would have to wait on how it responded to rehabilitation.
Darcy said he was happy to start kicking goals and his confidence about eventually hitting form had not diminished.