Essendon have come under fire for their halftime antics during their clash against Geelong, with Hawthorn champion Shane Crawford questioning the team's image as the Bombers went on to lose by 66 points.
The Bombers' playing group were seen smiling and laughing during halftime, where they were sitting 59 points behind the Cats with just two goals to their name.
Images of the huddle quickly spread to social media, with many fans questioning the players position during a must-win clash.
This is the half time huddle today as they were down by 10 goals. This is Essendon. pic.twitter.com/zJvrCpqL0F
— Lunchtime Catch-Up (@LunchCatchUp) September 6, 2020
โItโs not a good look,โ Crawford told Wide World of Sportsโ Full Time.
โImagine throwing that picture out to Instagram or Twitter and asking all the supporters โWhat is going on?โ
โThe thing that I donโt like when sides lose, especially in really important games, you see players with big smiles on their faces interacting with opposition players at the end.
โObviously here theyโre having a bit of fun in some way trying to get themselves sparked up to get back into the match. But youโve got to understand they were playing for a finals spot.
โIโm sure at the moment with the way things are in Victoria and all the Essendon supporters watching this, they wouldnโt be happy. Itโs not a good look.
โWhen youโre getting a whack like that, you canโt be seen having a lot of fun out on the footy field. It just doesnโt work like that. I donโt think itโs going to go to well in the football worldโฆespecially at half time when they were slaughtered by the Cats.โ
Former Essendon defender Adam Ramanauskas slammed the players' performance in the season-defining loss.
โThe standout for me is when your season is on the line and thatโs what you serve up, thatโs really disappointing for the football club,โ he said on RSN Breakfast.
โThey absolutely didnโt look like it. At times, they looked like witches hatsโ
