AFL players need more heroics and less stupidity in wake of sledging incident, Mark Robinson writes

THE AFL needs to develop a Code of Conduct for sledging to educate all players not to cross the line and adapt to community standards in the wake of the Marc Murphy sledging affair, writes Mark Robinson.

Marc Murphy leaves the field after the match. Picture: Michael Klein

IT’S always interesting when punters sitting in their living rooms pass judgment on the behaviour of players in the heat of competition.

Just the mindset of both parties.

The players are given six days to build up to a game of footy. Eat, sleep, refresh, refocus. They are asked to be unconditional with their effort and attitude. Don’t shirk, don’t duck, be a man, play with passion and, mainly, win at all costs.

HURT STAR: LEAVE MY WIFE ALONE, SAYS MURPHY

NOT IMPRESSED: ROOS SLAMS SLAMMING OF MURPHY

DES HEADLAND: ‘ONE OF THE HARDEST TIMES IN MY CAREER’

TRASH TALK: WHEN SLEDGING GOES TOO FAR

The other group has the weekend off work.

From an environment of calmness and relaxation, they judge players who are in an environment of hostility.

It’s an environment that demands heroics and, on the flip side, it makes players susceptible to stupidity.

They do things they don’t normally do, such as whack a bloke, slam a player into the ground, jumper punch an opponent and say things that are childish and crass.

A melee broke out during the St Kilda-Carlton clash as tempers flared. Picture: Michael Klein

That’s what happened on Saturday.

What Marc Murphy said to Jake Carlisle and what Carlisle — and maybe two others at most — said to Murphy was a heat-of-the-moment thing.

Murphy probably said something about Carlisle and his social habits and Carlisle spat back something about a member of Murphy’s family.

You feel for Murphy.

He has been the subject of vicious tales in the past 12 months and has been sledged by opposition players.

This might have been a new sledge, who knows, but what we do know is Murphy didn’t like it.

It raises some vexing questions.

If Murphy sledged first, did he have to suck it up when Carlisle went back at him?

Is “cokehead” acceptable? What is acceptable?

Marc Murphy has a word to Jake Carlisle after he was floored.

“Retard” obviously is out. What about “ranga” for redheads? Fat players? Gamblers who have lost money?

A couple of players were called rapists for years. Mick Malthouse joined in.

Was that OK?

Clearly, family is off limits. Or should be. Kids. Wives. Mums.

This incident was about family, so it’s off limits. And it has to be because if it’s allowed, the stupidity of players will know no bounds.

This incident is getting overs because it has prompted morality debates and decency discussions by calm people in their living rooms about players in a hostile environment.

It’s not ideal, but there’s no need for a Royal Commission.

The fact is Murphy and Carlisle traded insults — minutes before the fight started — and Carlisle won because it was more offensive.

Marc Murphy leaves the field after the match. Picture: Michael Klein

A distressed Murphy lifted it a level by having a second crack at Carlisle — who says he can’t remember what was said to him because he was in pain because of a hit to the testicles — and then Saints skipper Jarryn Geary elevated it further when he chased down Murphy and wrestled him.

It sparked a melee and the AFL is yet to decide how much it will cost the players.

Murphy’s reaction and Geary’s reaction to Murphy took a stupid, personal and insensitive comment to a heightened level of aggression.

Most of the players didn’t know what started the fight and were only flying the flag.

How not to pour more petrol on the fire ... pic.twitter.com/6Zae7oA3s2

— Mark Robinson (@Robbo_heraldsun) May 15, 2017

And accusations Murphy was a target all through the match for the Saints are not true.

Clearly, Murphy was stung by the initial comment. He spoke to a St Kilda player later in the game about what was said and stressed it had crossed the line. Geary called Murphy on Monday.

The Saints agreed and acknowledged some of their players had overstepped the mark.

A discussion between the AFL Players’ Association and the players’ representatives will be held to determine whether a code of conduct for sledging is required.

Marc Murphy and his wife Jessie at the 2016 Brownlow Medal. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Society has changed, football has, too, and it will continue to adapt to community standards and that’s why a code is needed.

People get hurt, too. The family. Murphy. And St Kilda’s reputation, which was unfair because comments made by maybe three Saints players — in the heat of the moment — have exposed an entire football club to ridicule and condemnation.

The Always Outraged who sit in their living rooms watching football need to chill. At the same time, the players need more heroics and less stupidity.

And less of Carlisle liking tweets that called Murphy “a little whinger”, which the Saint did last night.