Western Force Players - Positive Role Models

[Darren]

I received an email the other day, and am posting it here with his permission:

I'm an avid Force fan and was wrapped in Friday's result. On Monday in my other life as an as an English teacher at Trinity College, my Yr 9's had to write about a significant sporting experience they participated in or watched over the weekend. One young bloke apparently lives near Sharpie and heard partying noises after the game. To cut a long story short, after walking down the road they met AJ Whalley ("You should have seen his huge muscles Sir!") and then ended up kicking a footy out the front with Nathan Sharpe and Cameron Shepherd. This young bloke and his mate were absolutely stoked.

What fantastic PR that the Force guys would do that and what a great reflection on player attitude.

How cool is that?! GO FORCE!

[JediKnight]

Excellent stuff. Keep it up guys!

[The InnFORCEr]

Last night I was talking to John Welborn about nothing in particular when he spotted a mates young fella that is the size of mini at 11 years old and who plays and loves his rugby, so John just (in a nice way) fobbed me off to talk rugby with young bloke......great to see and thanks to John and Fox for the opportunity last night.

[luke_the_pom]

thats great to hear!

lucky kid.....bet he will be telling everyone about that!

[Happy]

rugby people are just soo much better than AFL .. you can really see a difference in their attitude towards their fans .. none of this "my shit don't stink" stuff

*glares over at Kerr and Cousins!*

[luke_the_pom]

rugby people are just soo much better than AFL .. you can really see a difference in their attitude towards their fans .. none of this "my poop don't stink" stuff

*glares over at Kerr and Cousins!*

bit general - i know of some good really AFL blokes who give a lot back to their fans

but yeah i suppose over the whole of the sports rugby players seems to be the better type

[LarryNJ]

It is a great reflection on the players attitudes. There are players like that in every sport, although the numbers seem to get fewer every year.

[AndyS]

Or maybe it just doesn't make good copy and never gets reported.

Maybe it has something to do with Rugby being a minor football code here so the press doesn't pump the players tyres up so much, or maybe it is the discipline imposed on the field (respect for officials etc), but long may the attitudes continue.

[JediKnight]

I'm an avid Force fan and was wrapped in Friday's result. On Monday in my other life as an as an English teacher at Trinity College...

Although "wrapped" can be used to mean intensely absorbed in (wrapped up in), I think the correct word is RAPT...meaning "ecstatic".

English teacher?! It would be quite difficult to be wrapped in a result unless it's a bit like gladwrap!!!!

[The InnFORCEr]

Jedi also has a special book about the correct use of comma's apostrophe's and full stop's on his bookshelf!! Don't you Jedi!!

[RuckNMaul]

i realy think rugby teaches its players better respect not only for officials but for the opposition as well. the majority of afl players i know at any level are more self absorbed and cant let go of things that happen on the feild where as 99% of rugby players are more inclined to single that bloke out from the game and buy him a beer and congratulate him on that ripper of a hit he layed on you just after halftime.

[Thequeerone]

Front Page of the West today

"West Coast Boss admits We have a drug problem"

Shock Horror
Western Force Player Hodgson admits he has a freckle problem

doesn't quite capture the headlines but I'ill be happier if the Force remain firmly on the back page - when they win

[jazza93]

but afl has alot more players and that means alot more trouble makers. but based on % rugby has less. gd on them

living near sharpie!!! i wish i lived near some force players but they probly wouldnt like it because i would probly camp outside there house lol.

[Mr Hasbeen]

As for the use of wrapped, well what can I say. Trinity English teacher.

Enough said.

As for the Force players, a workmate was at the beach with his family, his young daughter started talking to this huge bloke about his dog.

My colleague was impressed with the guy's demeanour, and also had the vague feeling he had seen him before.

Then a couple of days later, Sharpie's photo is in the paper, and my mates 4 year old recognised him.

To this day, my mate keeps on about how Nathan is a really nice, genuine guy.

Go the Force!!!!

[The EnForcer]

I've met quite a few of the Force guys, management and players, and have found every one of them to be good blokes.

During the recent tour to Sydney I got talking to a couple of the Rugby WA directors who were at the pub before the game. They turned out to be genuinely nice bloke. Anyway they told me that they had paid for there own tickets to fly them and their wives across for the game as it is seen as bad form to claim expenses. I would say that gives a great indication of the culture in our union. Good onya fellas.