People of course are a product of their upbringing and being raised in a Canadian/North American environment, I typically see things in a different light to my Aussie counterparts. Naturally, traditional aspects of Australian (sporting) culture are foreign to me and so I often question their beginnings. Though it may seem as though I am sometimes ‘having a go,’ I simply try to share my experience and to provide a different viewpoint. This often makes for interesting locker-room conversation and I hope insightful reading…
My father in-law is convinced it’s the most valuable non-renewable resource on the planet. Most people, myself included, often take it for granted and even though it doesn’t cost us a penny, we often wish we could buy more. It has been with us all our lives and is an unstoppable force. Round six, we could have used a smidgeon more of it and on Saturday night there is no doubt Essendon supporters and players alike were ruing its cruelty. This intangible yet determining element is time.
Should our sport consider showing the official game clock to both players and fanatics alike? I imagine opinions would be divided but it’s something I have often wondered.
NBA and NFL followers can attest to how hotly contested the game clock is. Referees regularly stop play to ensure that time is kept to perfection; any mistake could cost millions of dollars. The same goes in all sports; milliseconds often make careers and destroy dynasties. Such is the value of time.
Whether it’s curling, cross-country skiing, figure skating or lacrosse, matches that are won or lost in the dying seconds are exhilarating. There is no doubt that there is huge suspense when an AFL game goes down to the wire - especially when you’re unaware as to when exactly the siren will sound. The question at hand is whether the AFL’s unique sense of sporting anxiety would be lost or enhanced if everyone could see the clock?
As a player, I feel that knowing the time would give us more opportunities to put the game on our backs, to take match-winning shots and to enhance the spectacle. Last second shots on goal are pressure packed and sure to inflict either elation or agony and these are the moments that make sport so special.
Let’s use our game against Essendon as an example. Common sense tells me that given his time again, Courtenay Dempsey, would not have played on. Rather, had he known there was a second remaining, he would have stepped back and reveled the responsibility/opportunity to be a match winner. Fortunately for us, time was on our side and let me tell you, the difference between a four-point win and a four-point loss changes everything for a club and its players.
When you win, ice baths aren’t as cold, post match junk food isn’t as guilty and aching muscles aren’t as sore. But more importantly, at this point in time, with the mid-season break upon us, winning relieves everyone from the pressures associated with losing and allows the players and coaches to have a more relaxing time.
Until next time,
Mike Pyke
