While we took some time in the office to salute some of the toughest players in sport, there are plenty of candidates who simply weren’t good enough to make the cut.
Aussies have the expectation that their sporting idols shouldn’t be stopped by anything less that kryptonite. There’s plenty of exponents that have been the exception to this rule and nothing grates more than seeing a grown man go down like his hit by a sniper’s bullet after a light brush with an opponent’s shirt.
While some athletes have the superhuman strength to play through pain that would make superheroes cry, there are some out there on the field who go down faster than a schooner on a Friday afternoon
While this is no means a definitive list, we thought we would highlight some of the softer players in the world of sport.
Billy Slater – Melbourne Storm
For all of his individual brilliance over the years, Melbourne Storm fullback continues to divide opinions with some of his on-field theatrics.
In the past month, the Melbourne superstar has gone to ground a little too easily in an attempt to get his opponents sent to the sin bin. In the round four clash with Cronulla, Slater went to ground a little too easily after trying to get a quick tap penalty against Cronulla. Sharks forward Luke Lewis barely touched Slater but found himself in the sin-bin for the indiscretion.
The Melbourne Storm star was at it again going to ground after another light touch in the clash with the Newcastle Knights. While Slater may have missed his calling for the Commonwealth Games diving team, we’re hoping that he can drop the acting from his game in time for State of Origin.
Joel Selwood – Geelong
While league pundits marvel at Joel Selwood’s ability to turn a match in the Geelong midfield, opposition fans are often left wondering about the Geelong captain’s ability to win the soft free-kick in the heat of battle.
Selwood is one of those players in the league who will go down a little easier than most. “There’s a bit of an art to it,” Selwood said in 2012 when he was asked about his ability to play on the edge of the rules. Selwood has made an art form of ducking his body into the tackler to win the free-kick from the umpire in crucial moments of the game making him one of the softer players in the league.
Kawhi Leonard – San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio would love to have All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard back on the court as they try and stay alive in the series against the Golden State Warriors this season.
The two-time All-Star has struggled to get on the court this season after a long run of injuries. While sitting out the majority of the season with an injury to his right quad, Leonard could potentially be on the verge of leaving the Spurs in search of a better contract deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Leonard has been medically cleared to return to action but has instead opted to sit on the sidelines and watch his teammates struggle through the season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P-_y14CgC4
Nick Kyrigos – Tennis
Nick Kyrigos made headlines this week with news that the talented Australian may miss the French Open with an injury. Kyrigos is one of those players on the professional circuit who would rather take the softest route possible when things aren’t going his way.
Kyrigos has developed a reputation on the men’s circuit for finding ways to deliberately lost a number of matches because he would rather be somewhere else. The talented Aussie player has attempted to turn a new leaf under the guidance of Australian Davis Cup Captain Leyton Hewitt but doubt still remains about one of the softer tennis players that Australia has produced.
Italian Football Team
There’s no doubting that the Italian football team is one of the most talented on the planet when they can manage to come together at an international football tournament. Sadly, we won’t be seeing the Azzurri at the World Cup in Russia after they were knocked by Sweden. While the Italians may have won their fair share of trophies, Lucas Neil and the Socceroos will always contend they go down a little too easily when the game is on the line.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid/Portugal
There’s no question that Ronaldo is one of the greatest football players of his generation. His duels with Lionel Messi will go down as one of the greatest football rivalries that the world has ever seen. Unfortunately, the Portuguese maestro has a penchant for falling over blades of grass rather than scoring more goals than he should.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jxKYO_ymt0
Brad Haddin – Australian Cricket
There were calls from certain sections of the cricket fraternity to ban some forms of cricket celebrations years ago to help lift Australia’s on field image. Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was in the middle of the action on this occasion after he head-butted James Faulkner’s finger to earn a spell on the sidelines during a one-day international against India in Jaipur in 2013.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-4VH6n06RA
Josh Dugan – Cronulla
Cronulla fullback Josh Dugan has a habit of spending more time on the sidelines than he does on the field. Dugan may be an enigmatic talent on the field, capable of winning matches off his own boot but the problem for coaches is that it is a struggle to keep him on the paddock. The Cronulla fullback is one of the more injury prone players in the game more likely to be stopped by an ingrown toenail than a ferocious front-rower.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuMQxm7uHRc