It's alarming to see so many messages that regard spiteful thuggery as an entertaining and normal part of footy. Ablett's too good so let's kick, cork, knee and punch him. In other sports, why not amputate Phar Lap's foot, give Ian Thorpe a lead belt and make Cadel Evans ride with a puncture?

Footy is fast and physical. Brave players take risks, but true champions - like Pavlich and Bell - are always hard and fair, never brutal and cowardly. Thugs suffocate skills and spoil the game.

Instead of suspending Solomon, Hall and others of their ilk, why not make them play together during their deserved absence from normal service? They could take turns to look skywards while receiving a smash in the face or a knee in the kidneys, launched with malice aforethought. There'd be no need for a ball. The winner would be the last man standing.

Meanwhile, back in Dockerland, can we play without setting out to injure opponents? If we're not good enough, let's lose in the right spirit, then improve our determination, fitness and skills rather than our nasty tricks?