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http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ble-abuse-is-not/story-e6frext9-1225872278445
Criticism acceptable, abuse is not - Andrew Johns
I'M NOT surprised the knives are out after Wednesday night's Origin loss by the Blues. It's predictable. We didn't play well and everyone - the coaching staff and players - has to take responsibility for that and the criticism that goes with it.
But the viciousness of some of the attacks has floored me and left me wondering about some of our so-called supporters.
Coach Craig Bellamy has been in the firing line all season.
Now he's copping both barrels. He has somehow become enemy No. 1 in NSW.
Blues captain Kurt Gidley has also been pilloried. The guy put his heart and soul on the line for NSW on Wednesday night and he, of all people, doesn't deserve the treatment he has received.
Apparently, I have also come under fire from some of our supposed fans.
My crime? I didn't looked gutted enough after the defeat.
I can't say what I'd like to about these people because this is a family newspaper. Suffice to say, they can all go and get lost.
Everyone has an opinion and I respect their right to have one, but the fans who bleat the loudest know the least about the game.
For just about my whole career, I was bagged for being a bad sport. For not being able to handle defeat.
Now people want to have a go at me for not seeming to care enough. It's bull . . it. What did they want me to do, shed tears?
Or maybe start hurling water bottles on the sideline at fulltime?
If only the Blues baggers out there knew half of what goes into preparing for a State of Origin match - the hours and hours of preparing the team and the sacrifices the players make.
We understand the frustration of our fans at Queensland's dominance for the past four years. We feel it more than anyone. But crucifying your own is hardly the answer.
We are all open to constructive criticism but leave me out of the other crap.
The game was there for the taking but the Origin moments, those periods when the game is decided, all belonged to Queensland.
The Billy Slater try. Where was the desperation to get to Johnathan Thurston's kick first before the Maroons fullback?
Darius Boyd's try.
In any company, let alone at Origin level, that was soft defence.
We can talk about the superstars in the opposition - and their influence - but for me, Queensland's domination is built around the grittiness of their players.
We need players who can take the fight to the Maroons for the full 80 minutes and win some of the important moments.
The preparation for Origin I was the best I have been associated with and while winning at Suncorp Stadium is a really tough ask, it is not impossible.
With the right attitude, we showed as much last year.
Criticism acceptable, abuse is not - Andrew Johns
I'M NOT surprised the knives are out after Wednesday night's Origin loss by the Blues. It's predictable. We didn't play well and everyone - the coaching staff and players - has to take responsibility for that and the criticism that goes with it.
But the viciousness of some of the attacks has floored me and left me wondering about some of our so-called supporters.
Coach Craig Bellamy has been in the firing line all season.
Now he's copping both barrels. He has somehow become enemy No. 1 in NSW.
Blues captain Kurt Gidley has also been pilloried. The guy put his heart and soul on the line for NSW on Wednesday night and he, of all people, doesn't deserve the treatment he has received.
Apparently, I have also come under fire from some of our supposed fans.
My crime? I didn't looked gutted enough after the defeat.
I can't say what I'd like to about these people because this is a family newspaper. Suffice to say, they can all go and get lost.
Everyone has an opinion and I respect their right to have one, but the fans who bleat the loudest know the least about the game.
For just about my whole career, I was bagged for being a bad sport. For not being able to handle defeat.
Now people want to have a go at me for not seeming to care enough. It's bull . . it. What did they want me to do, shed tears?
Or maybe start hurling water bottles on the sideline at fulltime?
If only the Blues baggers out there knew half of what goes into preparing for a State of Origin match - the hours and hours of preparing the team and the sacrifices the players make.
We understand the frustration of our fans at Queensland's dominance for the past four years. We feel it more than anyone. But crucifying your own is hardly the answer.
We are all open to constructive criticism but leave me out of the other crap.
The game was there for the taking but the Origin moments, those periods when the game is decided, all belonged to Queensland.
The Billy Slater try. Where was the desperation to get to Johnathan Thurston's kick first before the Maroons fullback?
Darius Boyd's try.
In any company, let alone at Origin level, that was soft defence.
We can talk about the superstars in the opposition - and their influence - but for me, Queensland's domination is built around the grittiness of their players.
We need players who can take the fight to the Maroons for the full 80 minutes and win some of the important moments.
The preparation for Origin I was the best I have been associated with and while winning at Suncorp Stadium is a really tough ask, it is not impossible.
With the right attitude, we showed as much last year.
