2003: To Rohan, Barass and Knightsy – I’m sorry

This opinion piece by The Age’s late columnist Robert Walls was first published on May 23, 2003.

I let Western Bulldogs dasher Rohan Smith down last week. I regret what I did and wish I could turn back time, but that can’t happen. With me as “special comments” man with 3AW, we covered last Sunday’s Carlton-Bulldogs game.

During the second quarter, Carlton forward Adrian Hickmott was forced to leave the field with blood trickling from his forehead. I didn’t see what happened. Two people near me, who were not members of the commentary team, assured me that Rohan Smith had bitten Hickmott. They had watched replays of the pair rolling on the ground on a TV monitor. Irresponsibly, I said on air that “there could have been a bite involved in Hickmott’s leaving the field”. I didn’t mention Smith’s name, but I didn’t have to for the finger to be pointed at him.

Two days after the game, the AFL held an investigation into why Hickmott left the field. The investigation didn’t last long as it was obvious there was no case to answer.

That same morning Rohan rang me to express his disappointment at what I had said on radio. I’m glad he called as he had every right to. The bottom line for me is, learn a lesson, and that is, think before you speak and don’t go on hearsay. I have apologised to Rohan and regret the pressure I put upon him.

Football, being a very public, competitive, emotional business, inevitably leads to some poor decisions being made and regrets do follow. Sometimes our greatest regrets are for things we didn’t do.

I regret not belting Ian Stewart when he, after his first game as coach of Carlton, told me, the captain, that I hadn’t tried. He’d been there two minutes, me 12 years. I’d bled for the navy Blues, he hadn’t. That I didn’t give him one still rankles.

I regret not playing 300 games. It is an achievement that less than one per cent of AFL players attain. Those who do are in a class of their own. They have passed the severest of tests.

I regret that I gave Peter Knights an ankle tap. The game was in the ’70s at Glenferrie Oval. For years the fair Hawk with the fair hair had the better of me. In frustration, I put the slipper into his ankle. It wasn’t a vicious kick, but it was unnecessary and unfair. At the time I thought about writing a letter of apology, but never did.

I regret not inviting Ron Barassi to my 21st birthday party. For five years, Barassi had coached me at Carlton. He was tough and uncompromising. But he was also the best coach a kid could ever wish to have - something I didn’t appreciate until years later. Under Barassi I’d played in three grand finals and two premierships by the age of 20. But by age 21, I’d had a gutful of the man who demanded so much. So in a fit of pique I didn’t invite him to my 21st.

I regret not grabbing the Carlton captaincy by the horns when I was given the opportunity in the ’70s.

For a six-year period, Alex Jesaulenko and I shared the captaincy. We both had two stints at the job. Jezza had his supporters in the playing group, while I had mine. Choosing not to ruffle feathers, I took a low-key approach when chosen as captain by the match committee. Looking back, I should have demanded more of myself and the playing group I led.

Finally, I regret not letting the Carlton players I coached in the ’80s know that I had a sense of humour. For nearly four years, the players were driven by a success-obsessed coach who didn’t know when to ease up. Fortunately, as the years have rolled by, I’ve been able to enjoy the company of many of those players who have seen another side to the old tyrant.

So, regrets? Yes, I’ve had a few. I guess the main thing is to learn from them, and to have fewer still as experience and wisdom kick in.

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