Former Melbourne champion Garry Lyon has launched at the quality of ball-use in the AFL so far this season.
Lyon believes players are kicking with an all-time low level of inaccuracy.
“Kicking in footy right now is as bad as I’ve ever seen it,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“For goal, kicking inside 50 and some of the general field kicking, at some stage you’ve just got to say enough is enough.
“These are professional full-time footballers who have more access to resources and time than ever before and it is putrid.”
Former four-time Essendon best and fairest Tim Watson offered a reason for the poor disposal.
“Do you think it’s because they’re so tired and the running that’s required to play the game now both defensively and offensively?” Watson said.
Lyon doesn’t give them that out.
“No. Because back when we played we weren’t fit enough to be able to play in that manner because we didn’t train as much as they do in these days,” he said.
“We were never required to run the way that the current player is.
“They train them to be athletes and to run and be fit and then Jack Steven couldn’t make a 20m kick to Jake Carlisle.”
Watson still believes the increased running is a factor in the poor kicking.
“He was absolutely exhausted and the players at Etihad Stadium yesterday, you could tell the skills were dropping off because players were so tired,” he said.
Lyon still wasn’t copping it.
“Well you’re paid to execute,” he said.
“They are just embarrassing some of the blokes kicking a footy today.”