Lawrence calls it quits

Whatever his shortcomings Steve Lawrence never failed to entertain a crowd. And if ever there was a stage created for him it was last Saturday when the old dockside rivals Port and Williamstown met for the 224th time, in a history that began when the Boroughs joined the Seagulls in the VFA in 1886. Although the crowd was much smaller than in the 50s, when the Port faithful saved their venom for the 'Monster' Callahan, the ghosts of yesteryear made a couple of cameos. What a difference the bullocking Lawrence might have made had injury not robbed him of the chance to play and be centre stage when Port hit the front midway through the final quarter. Sadly, he wasn't and now it seems there'll be no encore. Last week he told president Peter Saultry his body, all 30 years of it, could not carry him through another season, especially with a knee operation scheduled. Many will say football didn't see the best of Lawrence who, like a select group of young footballers, had to tread a famous father's path and was never far from a controversy off the field. Despite the indiscretions, including a much-publicised incident last year, the president has the greatest respect for him. 'I loved the way he attacked the ball and lifted the side. He commanded great respect from the opposition and never shirked an issue. We'll miss him,' says Saultry.

Although his 52 games and 57 goals in 3 years won't place him among the Port greats he deserves to be loved. In an era where running, athletic footballers with precision kicking skills fill the draft camps Lawrence's high impact, aggressive style brought colour and character to a game. And even a lack of speed didn't stop him kicking some awesome and inspiring goals. The game needs players like him.

Hazell's big hit

Had it been Steve Lawrence who crashed into Williamstown's Patrick Rose just before half-time on Saturday no one would have been surprised to see him have his number taken. Tim Hazell has attitude but doesn't play with the same aggression as Lawrence and was travelling at great speed when he collided with Rose, who was running with the flight of the ball. Interestingly enough, Hazell was not reported at the time of the incident and only learnt of the report after the half-time break. Although umpires have this discretion, it has not won any praise from Port officials. That issue aside, the collision raises many questions as to how our game should be played. There can be no doubt that until the final fraction of a second Hazell believed he would mark the ball. Only when he was within a metre or two of Rose did he realise he was late. At that point he turned his head slightly and crashed into Rose, who suffered an injured shoulder but thankfully, no head or neck injury. It could have been worse. Was it careless, and could Hazell have avoided the collision? I don't think so.

It's instructive that the next day, only a few kilometers away at Telstra Dome, Geelong's Josh Hunt suffered the ignominy of being benched for failing to put his body at risk in a marking contest. If that wasn't bad enough, Hunt could only have felt humiliated by coach 'Bomber' Thompson's comments in the after-match press conference. Hunt's disinclination to raise both arms and show unbridled courage will haunt him. For how long is anyone's guess.

Unlike Hunt, it was not Tim Hazell who risked being hurt in the collision at Port. Only one player - barring a clash of heads - was in danger. That was the 20-year-old Spotswood boy, Patrick Rose. Nonetheless, I don't think Hazell did anything wrong. Nor do I think that by reporting or suspending him we achieve anything as far as the safety of players is concerned. We do need to ensure the days of blokes deliberately lining up another player - Giansiracusa on Koschitzke for example - are relegated to the dustbin of history. There never was anything noble or courageous about an unprotected player being flawed by a shirtfront. Unfortunately, as much as Patrick Rose is entitled to attack the ball without the risk of being cleaned up, Tim Hazell has every right to chase an airborne ball. It's a tough call. But this time I'm with Hazell. As for Hunt! If it had been Gary Ablett would 'Bomber' Thompson have engaged in such a public humiliation?