04-01-2018, 10:44 AM
(04-01-2018, 09:34 AM)Barbs link Wrote:AFL legends blast ‘deplorable’ skill level
Footy legends Wayne Carey and Paul Roos have taken an axe to the current game, describing what they’ve seen this weekend as a disgrace.
Carey said outside of the rematch between last year’s grand finalists Richmond and Adelaide, the skill level on show had been “deplorable”.
“St Kilda couldn’t hit the side of a barn,” Carey told Triple M.
He also criticised Carlton for missing targets with two metre handballs and dropping chest marks. “Some of the skill level this weekend has not even been at VFL level, below that,” Carey said.
“Players today cannot kick on their opposite foot. A lot of people applaud when they’re running straight at the goal and they’ve got no left foot and they do a checkside and everyone says what a great goal. What a load of crap. He should have kicked it on his left foot.
“That’s what astounds me. These elite, professional players are no good on their opposite side.”
Roos said it was the long-term effect of the increasing amount of time kids were spending doing their homework and playing computer games instead of kicking a footy.
“If you’re a kid now you’re doing half, a third, a quarter — whatever it may be — of the kicking (we did),” Roos said. “When they come into the game at AFL level they haven’t had the background of skill ... it’s a numbers game.”
https://www.triplem.com.au/sport/afl/new...ion=Sydney
I'm sure kids spend less time with the footy than in years gone past. But other factors surely must play a part - rule changes, faster, fitter players, which means the ball carrier executes under greater pressure.........I'm sure there's others.