Bomberland users say there is no doubt that off-field issues affect the on-field performance of sides. Our most recent poll saw 1098 (82%) voters say off-field issues have an impact while 244 (18%) said it made no difference. However, some voters said that off-field issues didn't always have a negative impact on the side - in some cases it inspired the team to greater heights on the field. Attached are some of the comments users amde on the website's most recent poll.

Brett Crabtree from Adelaide says: Issues off-field do effect on-field performances. Issues such as coaching issues, contract negotiations, tribunal issues and so on do take their toll on a player and can adversely effect their performance. Players are not robots.

Di from Somerville says: I would hope that off-field issues would not adversely affect the Bombers at all, but it seems they affect some other clubs positively, such as Melbourne coming out harder after being labelled soft. Let us all hope that that the off-field issue of Lloydy signing on affects his game to the extent of kicking a huge bag, say 10, against the Hawks, and spurs the rest of the team on to a great victory.

Tony Bloomfield from Blackburn says: The answer is a resounding no. The Kangaroos endured difficult times off the field right through the 1990s and yet still managed to be one of the top clubs onfield for all of that decade. With the exception of the recruitment area, and the coaches appointment the off field happenings should have no effect on the way a football team goes about its business. Boardroom dramas seem to used as an excuse by some players and coaches for their lack of success. (Just ask Robert Walls - all his failures are attributable to the clubs concerned and not the fact that despite being a great player he was pathetic in the coaching role). There is no doubt that Kevin Sheedy would have been able keep Essendon at a competitive level right through his time at the club even if he had had to endure the problems faced by the Kangaroos, Melbourne, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs, Geelong, Hawthorn and Richmond at various times. As a coach Sheedy has managed to enjoy continued success through times when there has been question marks over his own tenure at the club and has managed to isolate any off field dramas from the way our players have performed. Having said that the board, management and staff at the club should be proud of their achievements over the Sheedy years in taking what was a good sporting club to the level where it is the envy of not only football clubs of all codes but also sporting clubs representing all sports across Australia.

Catherine Gurney from Western Australia says: I really do believe that what happens off field affects player performance. For example half forward Scott Lucas is constantly dismissed by the Bombers so called fans for being a poor player. I believe if he had a bit more support off field, he would play at fine form on field Catherine