Goleel said:
I think the reason most people accuse Woolford of staying down is because its something they don't think he is below doing, because of how often he comes out in the media (mostly regarding the Bulldogs) with his outspoken opinions and the disrespect he shows referees on the field.
I've only read or heard Woolford making 3 references to the Bulldogs.
The first was regarding the salary cap dramas. He merely questioned, after the Bulldogs being deemed to have operated "illegally" within the league and being deducted 34 points, why should the Raiders then play them and potentially risk injuries, etc. I still don't understand why the Dogs were allowed to play and potentially earn points from the last 2 games.
The NRL said, ok you've done the dodgy, we're taking your points from you. They still had an "illegal" team for the last 2 rounds, so what had changed?
If someone can explain the logic to me I'm all ears.
The 2nd point was after the Raiders Dogs game at Homebush last year and his point was that there is a dodgy element to the Bulldogs crowd. This is after the SGB banner was destroyed, Toots was booed off after breaking his leg, and Raiders supporters were taunted and physically threatened after the game.
Everyone involved in this sport knows that there is truth in what he was saying. Separate to that he was showing loyalty to a teammate and the Raiders supporters. An admirable trait if you ask me.
The 3rd comment he made was at the NRL season launch when he stated categorically that the media should treat the Bulldogs players as innocent until proven guilty. He was one of only a handful of players who had the balls to put their hand up and be honest about it.
I'm not sure why some Bulldogs fans feel he has a vendetta against them...?
Also, if you're saying 'well you cop a high shot and see how you take it', its pretty pointless in the arguement and an easy way out. None of us are professional footballers, particularly hard headed front rowers who are used to taking punishment, including shots to the head. When you see other guys get straight back up from a shot and others stay down after a similar one, it doesn't matter how we personally would handle it, we aren't professionals, they are.
They're not professional boxers either. Unless you have a head made of stone or no central nervous system, getting hit in the head hurts. Just because they are professional footballers doesn't mean they have no nerve endings in their heads/faces.
