Symonds sent home

[social]

At least show some consistency. If it were Harbhajan, you would have been giving your usual dose of Bible Preaching.

Get it through your head, he missed a meeting!!!!! Whoopdeedoo

BTW, if it were Harby, he'd have racially abused a fishing mate, punched the captain and then had his mummy appear on television telling the world what a good boy he is

 

[pasag]

Sounds like the jouno has got his nose out of joint because Symonds has told him where to go in the past

Anyway, Symonds is paid to play cricket and, in that regard, he is one of the best in the world - END OF STORY

On the other hand, members of CA, team management and even the captain are also paid to manage and have, in Symonds' case, done a **** job and some should be sacked immediately

For example, wtf has Steve Bernard been doing for the last decade whilst this has been going on?

Furthermore, if Symonds is so out of control (pretty freakin' doubtful IMO) then just what good will it do to send him home?

He'll be inundated by the media and chances are, to escape them, (and this is the classic) HE'LL GO FISHING!!!!

Then, in a couple of weeks time, he'll be summonsed before the leadership group where he'll declare undying loyalty to the cause, all will be forgiven and the show will go on

Here's a tip guys, management is not just a job title

Yeah with Social on this. I agree he's turned into a bit of a knob and needed to be reigned in, but the punishment here doesn't fit the 'crime' and other measures should have been taken before something so drastic occured ie - warning, missing one match, fine etc. Not dismissed from a whole tour for missing a meeting he didn't know was on (unless of course as TC said there's more going on here then CA are letting on).

 

[Precambrian]

Get it through your head, he missed a meeting!!!!! Whoopdeedoo

BTW, if it were Harby, he'd have racially abused a fishing mate, punched the captain and then had his mummy appear on television telling the world what a good boy he is

Bull croak. There is yet no proof of him having racially abused Symonds. Other than that, Bhajji is Bhajji and Symonds are in the same boat, both deserve the disciplinary quick.

 

[pup11]

I see nothing wrong or groundbreaking about that article. Many other people have said similar or worse about him before. When a guy goes about his life thinking he's Kingsh*t he should be able to take all this in his stride, it'd be hilarious for him to be acting selectively sensitive again.

Look i don't have a problem with any journo criticising a player, but in this article this guy has written facts as if he is an internal part of the Aussie set-up, or as if he is in constant interaction with Symonds, the stuff like how he has got too big for his boots, and how he treats his team-mates like dirt, and how not tearing his contract by CA bosses a long time ago was a big mistake, i mean he can go ahead and say anything he wants about him, because Symonds is the bad-guy of the Australian team so you can fabricate anything about him and nobody would really have much to say against him, it almost like kicking a man who is already down.
Discipline is a problem with Symonds and in a world class team like Australia that won't be tolerated and that's a message that be given to Symonds loud and clear, now its upto him whether he wants to change things on his part or not.

 

[pup11]

Get it through your head, he missed a meeting!!!!! Whoopdeedoo

BTW, if it were Harby, he'd have racially abused a fishing mate, punched the captain and then had his mummy appear on television telling the world what a good boy he is

 

[pup11]

Allrounder reflects on his attitude
Symonds determined to fight back

Brydon Coverdale in Darwin

August 31, 2008
Andrew Symonds is committed to forcing his way back into the Australia team but whether that is possible for October's tour of India is uncertain, according to his agent Matt Fearon. Symonds was thrown out of the squad in Darwin after missing a team meeting because he went fishing.

It was only a misdemeanour but it was the last straw for a team leadership group that was already concerned about Symonds' dedication and frame of mind following several other incidents. Symonds flew home to Brisbane while his colleagues took on Bangladesh on Saturday and Fearon said the allrounder was pondering his attitude and his future.

"Andrew's going to take some time to reflect on what's happened," Fearon said. "He's still committed to playing cricket at the highest level. How he goes about doing that and how it plays out I don't know. Whether it means India I don't know."

It has been an eventful year for Symonds, who among other things was at the centre of a racism row with India's Harbhajan Singh in January. Paul Marsh, the chief executive of the Australian Cricketers' Association, said the latest incident was unexpected but the ACA would do everything it could to get him back into the Australia team.

"It was a surprise but there were issues last summer that have been well documented," Marsh said. "Our role is obviously we're here to support Andrew. We've been in discussion with his manager and look to put in place the best possible support for him."

Australia maintain that a break from the game is in Symonds' best interests as well as for the good of the team, although nobody knows how long his lay-off will be. His attitude over the past few months has troubled the squad's senior figures and the coach Tim Nielsen said the fishing expedition was simply a trigger point.

"They [usually] don't miss a thing and they are always early and presented as well as they possibly can," Nielsen said. "When somebody hasn't got the information that they need or hasn't turned up on time it's usually due to the fact they're away from us and the group a little bit, mentally. That always raises concerns."

While Cricket Australia said it would do whatever it could to help Symonds, the unusual situation means it is not clear what he must do to prove his commitment. "There's no prescribed, exact process for these sorts of things," Marsh said. "We just need to get to the bottom of things and work out what's the best way to move forward."
Brydon Coverdale is a staff writer at Cricinfo

© Cricinfo
So according to this report there is good chance that Symonds might miss out on the Indian tour, how big a blow would that be for Australia, even if he had his share of luck in West Indies, he still played some very crucial knocks for Australia.

 

[Perm]

Anyway, Symonds is paid to play cricket and, in that regard, he is one of the best in the world - END OF STORY

On the other hand, members of CA, team management and even the captain are also paid to manage and have, in Symonds' case, done a **** job and some should be sacked immediately

I've got absolutely nothing against you as a poster but the above two comments are absolutely cringe-worthy.

Firstly, Symonds is paid to play cricket but there also comes a large amount of responsibility with representing your country. You are supposed to act as a role model for young kids who look up to and admire these top level sportsmen, and as I said earlier, in this age of professionalism there is a certain code of conduct that players must adhere to if they are selected to play international cricket. It is even more disappointing in this case because Symonds is 33, a grown man, and a senior member of the side. Not only are little kids looking up to him, but in the current Australian team there are a lot of younger players who will look to the 'leaders' for advice, guidance and the likes.

Secondly, your point about team management is ridiculous. Symonds is an adult and should be responsible for his own actions. Are you trying to suggest that Michael Clarke and Steve Bernard need to, or should have babysat Symonds? They both have roles which require them to take part in management decisions, but you can't have an entire group of people designated to looking after one guy who, it appears, seems to think he is bigger than the game.

 

[Son Of Coco]

This is my favourite quote:

"This is not Symonds' first fishing-related drama, as he and teammate Matthew Hayden had to swim back to shore when their boat sank off Stradbroke Island in 1999."



Perhaps he should attend Fisherman's Anonymous.

 

[Goughy]

I've got absolutely nothing against you as a poster but the above two comments are absolutely cringe-worthy.

Firstly, Symonds is paid to play cricket but there also comes a large amount of responsibility with representing your country. You are supposed to act as a role model for young kids who look up to and admire these top level sportsmen, and as I said earlier, in this age of professionalism there is a certain code of conduct that players must adhere to if they are selected to play international cricket. It is even more disappointing in this case because Symonds is 33, a grown man, and a senior member of the side. Not only are little kids looking up to him, but in the current Australian team there are a lot of younger players who will look to the 'leaders' for advice, guidance and the likes.

TBH, Ive never subcribed to that POV. Sports stars have no additionalobligations apart from what they are paid to do. Attending meetings are part of what they are paid to do and professionals should fulfl their part of the deal. Important to obey team rules and respect your teammates.

I dont care if athetes are bad people. I probably would be. I dont think there is anything wrong with a athlete misbehaving (be it drinking, strange ***ual activities etc). Thats kind of what makes being an athlete fun. Few sign on to be a role model for kids, and quite frankly why should they be when there are parents around that should be doing that for them.

Sounds like the jouno has got his nose out of joint because Symonds has told him where to go in the past

Anyway, Symonds is paid to play cricket and, in that regard, he is one of the best in the world - END OF STORY

On the other hand, members of CA, team management and even the captain are also paid to manage and have, in Symonds' case, done a **** job and some should be sacked immediately

For example, wtf has Steve Bernard been doing for the last decade whilst this has been going on?

Furthermore, if Symonds is so out of control (pretty freakin' doubtful IMO) then just what good will it do to send him home?

He'll be inundated by the media and chances are, to escape them, (and this is the classic) HE'LL GO FISHING!!!!

Then, in a couple of weeks time, he'll be summonsed before the leadership group where he'll declare undying loyalty to the cause, all will be forgiven and the show will go on

Here's a tip guys, management is not just a job title

So what you are saying is, Symonds is a good player and can therefore ignore rules that a lesser player would get punished for. So its different rules for different people.

What a joke in a team game where you are representing you country. Symonds (by the sounds of it) has had a lot of chances and patience has worn thin.

He has lost the respect of his teammates and that respect is based on far more than hiting sixes.

 

[Uppercut]

Firstly, Symonds is paid to play cricket but there also comes a large amount of responsibility with representing your country. You are supposed to act as a role model for young kids who look up to and admire these top level sportsmen, and as I said earlier, in this age of professionalism there is a certain code of conduct that players must adhere to if they are selected to play international cricket. It is even more disappointing in this case because Symonds is 33, a grown man, and a senior member of the side. Not only are little kids looking up to him, but in the current Australian team there are a lot of younger players who will look to the 'leaders' for advice, guidance and the likes.

Frankly, I have great respect for the fact that Symonds does not give a ****. He just wants to play cricket, win, then maybe have a few beers with his team mates and friends. If he misses team meetings, its detrimental to the team cause and there has to be retribution, so I agree with the disciplinary. But he has no obligation to younger cricketers or even younger Australians. He's just paid to play cricket.

 

[Perm]

TBH, Ive never subcribed to that POV. Sports stars have no additionalobligations apart from what they are paid to do. Attending meetings are part of what they are paid to do and professionals should fulfl their part of the deal. Important to obey team rules and respect your teammates.

I dont care if athetes are bad people. I probably would be. I dont think there is anything wrong with a athlete misbehaving (be it drinking, strange ***ual activities etc). Thats kind of what makes being an athlete fun. Few sign on to be a role model for kids, and quite frankly why should they be when there are parents around that should be doing that for them.

It's a moral obligation IMO, sports stars should realise that if they are representing their country then people will be looking up to them, especially young children. It's a fact of life that children will look up to people like Symonds and his Australian team-mates, simply because of what they do. The honour of representing your country comes with the responsibility of not letting them down, and that includes off the field too.

 

[Uppercut]

It's a moral obligation IMO, sports stars should realise that if they are representing their country then people will be looking up to them, especially young children. It's a fact of life that children will look up to people like Symonds and his Australian team-mates, simply because of what they do. The honour of representing your country comes with the responsibility of not letting them down, and that includes off the field too.

Symonds has the right to be himself though. There's plenty to admire about him as a sportsman, he has an iron determination and wants to win as much as anyone, he works extremely hard and is possibly the best fielder in the world. There's also a lot that isn't so admirable, he drinks too much, gets into too many conflicts and goes fishing when there's meant to be a team meeting. Nobody's perfect, why does he have to reinvent himself as a flawless role model now that he's playing for Australia?

 

[Goughy]

It's a moral obligation IMO, sports stars should realise that if they are representing their country then people will be looking up to them, especially young children. It's a fact of life that children will look up to people like Symonds and his Australian team-mates, simply because of what they do. The honour of representing your country comes with the responsibility of not letting them down, and that includes off the field too.

Such people are idiots. Why would you take lifestyle advice from a guy from the TV that is employed to hit a ball with a wooden stick?

If I was a top pro athlete I would be appalled by people forcing a moral obligation on me, I didnt sign up for, to protect morons.

Any parent that plays a secondary role in the formation of their childs personality and their concept of right and wrong behind a sportsman is not doing their job properly. The responsibility isnt on the athlete.

Player behaviour should be monitered and controlled by management, teammates, sponsors, agents and boards. Its a long list but Joe Public isnt there.

 

[Perm]

Such people are idiots. Why would you take lifestyle advice from a guy from the TV that is employed to hit a ball with a wooden stick?

So you're saying that if your children (not sure how many you have sorry) look up to KP or Flintoff as an inspiration that they are idiots?

 

[pup11]

So you're saying that if your children (not sure how many you have sorry) look up to KP or Flintoff as an inspiration that they are idiots?

Well the children should look upto such people for inspiration, but they should also have the sense to know what's right and what's wrong for them, so they should look to learn from the good things these players do, that is play awesome and skillful cricket, but when they hear about Freddie getting drunk in the Caribbean and going into the sea with a peddal boat they should straightaway ignore that bit.

 

[Goughy]

So you're saying that if your children (not sure how many you have sorry) look up to KP or Flintoff as an inspiration that they are idiots?

I have 2 boys btw

Inspiration is a strong word. Im not sure Id want them inspired by anyone apart from themselves. That is too much putting people on a pedastal. Ive never subscribe to hero worship or thought it healthy.

They can certainly be influenced by people (that is an essential part of learning and growing) but they should be drawing from a number of sources.

I would also want the inluence they had to be cricket related. There is no reason why the choices Flintoff and KP make in their personal lives should have any impact on my kids. Obviously they might as a cricketer.

 

[Perm]

You said that if young children look up to international cricketers they are idiots, which is why I wanted to know if you would call your own children idiots if they looked up to KP or Flintoff the way that many young Australian kids look up to Symonds.

 

[howardj]

Get it through your head, he missed a meeting!!!!! Whoopdeedoo

With respect, it's a bit more than just missing a meeting-- you make it sound like his alarm failed to go off. The meeting, for an international match, was at 9:30am. He got back from fishing at 5:00pm. That, to me, is being deliberately defiant and is totally unacceptable (senior player or not). If you want to be paid as a professional, you have to act like one. On top of that, (as Clarke said this morning) it's but one of several misdemeanors over recent times. So, it's a bit more than just 'missing a meeting'.

 

[howardj]

Pathetic!!
What a pathetic article, seriously Symonds is not the greatest guy on the earth, but even he doesn't deserve this, when this guy Ben Dorries knew so much was wrong with Symonds, then why couldn't he just come up with something like this before, or was he waiting for Symonds to get in some sort of trouble first so he can make full use of the situation and write whatever he feels like writing and get away with it.

He's the 3rd journalist, along with Malcolm Conn and Jon Pierek, to write that Symonds is an unsavoury character off the field. So, Dorries is hardly the lone ranger in thinking that Symonds is a moron.

 

[Uppercut]

He's the 3rd journalist, along with Malcolm Conn and Jon Pierek, to write that Symonds is an unsavoury character off the field. So, Dorries is hardly the lone ranger in thinking that Symonds is a moron.

It's still a pathetic article. The guy blatantly does not know what he's talking about and has no right to comment on it so severely, only those within the Australian team or close to Symonds do.