On Monday, the AFL revealed the bagful of money raised from player fines last season – funds that the league says are directed towards concussion research – had doubled.
So it’s ironic that on the same day, the AFL’s match review officer failed to cite a player who contributed to an ugly head knock that left the No.1 draft pick with a concussion and a fractured jaw that required surgery.
No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor was concussed and left with a fractured jaw after this incident against the West Coast Eagles.Credit: Fox Footy/Kayo
Of the five players cited through the practice match rounds, there was no mention of West Coast defender Reuben Ginbey, 20, and his needless, even reckless, push in the back of Sam Lalor.
The young Tiger crashed into Eagle Sandy Brock, who had cut across and taken an intercept mark. Lalor barely had time to raise his hands to protect himself.
That Brock was stripped of his mark and a free kick awarded to Lalor meant Ginbey had done wrong. That Lalor, the league’s top draft pick and the Tigers’ shining light, was seriously injured surely meant Ginbey would be cited by the match review officer.
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In fact, he should have been sent directly to the tribunal. Or at least offered a ban of some kind. OK, even a fine. But it didn’t even rate a mention as an incident that warranted an explanation from match review officer Michael Christian.
The AFL may have tightened its head knock protocols, but it has dropped the ball on its first major test of the new year.
Lalor deserved better than this. So did his family. Ginbey may have meant no harm – we are not suggesting he did – but, ultimately, there was harm done. Had the incident, which appeared intentional, been deemed to be rough conduct and graded severe, resulting in a tribunal case, Ginbey could have argued he was looking at the ball, and did not know a teammate was crossing into Lalor’s path.
