In the fallout from yesterday's Anzac Day clash, Essendon utility Brendon Goddard has copped serious criticism for his aggressive on-field treatment of teammates.
The former Saint was caught on camera yesterday having heated exchanges with David Zaharakis and Joe Daniher, sparking a lively debate among the AFL community.
David Zaharakis and Brendon Goddard had some words for each other. #AFLPiesDons pic.twitter.com/C5XG2zgLjD
— AFL (@AFL) April 25, 2018
Daniher's smile at the end ๐#AFLPiesDons pic.twitter.com/DxD9BKqmcn
— 7AFL (@7AFL) April 25, 2018
Calrton great Mark Maclure told Fox Footy on Wednesday night that Goddard should be dropped for his behaviour.
โIโve been in this business over 45 years. Iโve never seen anyone as demonstrative as this bloke and I wouldnโt put up with it,โ Maclure told Fox Footyโsย AFL 360.
โIโd be dropping him tomorrow saying โwe canโt stand this.โ I canโt stand it because why would you actually blue at your players when youโre not actually doing the same thing?
โHe moves away from his own teammates. Look, he doesnโt pick anyone up โ never. And heโs blueing at other people for making mistakes.
โFor mine, I was filthy โ I canโt sort of understand why anyone would put up with him at this stage.โ
Former Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd also slammed Goddardโs behaviour.
"With Brendon, it's always someone else's problem. It can be the way you tell players, too." LLoyd said during 3AWโs broadcast of the game.
โYelling in someoneโs face isnโt going to work,
โHe went straight over to the forwards and abused them.โ
Bombers coach John Worsfold defended his former captainโs behaviour, saying he is just competitive and acting in the best interest of his team.
"In the course of a game it has to be blunt and to the point," Worsfold told reporters in the post-game press conference.
"I would strongly encourage players to communicate with each other if they are not on the same page."
"Players have agreed that they will give each other strong feedback.โ
Goddard spoke about his actions on Thursday morning, saying he is working on delivering his feedback to his teammates in a less demonstrative manner.
โItโs something Iโm working on. Iโve asked for my teammates and coaches help. Iโll be the first to admit that I let things boil over at times. I never claim to be perfect, as much as I try to be. But it does tie into me as person, being that competitive person โฆ wanting my teammates to do well and win. I can get carried away at times,โ Goddard told RSN radio.ย
โI get (the way it looks) โฆ and at the time it obviously doesnโt feel like that.
โI understand people that donโt know me and the way that it does come across and I accept that.
โI donโt want to say this flippantly, but I donโt really care. Itโs not that important what they think. Itโs important what David (Zaharakis) thinks and my teammates and my coaches. Thatโs whatโs important. It happens all the time โ particularly on footy fields.โ
Essendon only have four days to turn their poor performance around as they take on Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
