Naughts MRP verdict. Is he in trouble?

[Bulldog Joe]

With our record from MRO and tribunal you can probably expect 2 weeks.

If it had been Jeremy Cameron doing the exact same thing to Jackson Macrae "no case to answer"

Should Michael Christian be true to form we absolutely need to challenge and if that is not overturned by the tribunal I would suggest take it to court.

Michael Christian can save the AFL lots by having a good look and class it as incidental contact with no case to answer.

[Grantysghost]

With our record from MRO and tribunal you can probably expect 2 weeks.

If it had been Jeremy Cameron doing the exact same thing to Jackson Macrae "no case to answer"

Should Michael Christian be true to form we absolutely need to challenge and if that is not overturned by the tribunal I would suggest take it to court.

Michael Christian can save the AFL lots by having a good look and class it as incidental contact with no case to answer.

Cameron already did it to Johannisen a few years back.

https://www.afl.com.au/video/10666/c...=1373089824001

It was 2013 so a while back but here is the verdict:

Cameron also dodged sanction for a heavy collision with Western Bulldog Jason Johannisen which dislocated the defender's AC joint and forced him from the field on a stretcher.

The panel says Cameron had no alternative open to him as he contested the ball with Johannisen.

"As the players came together, Cameron had his arms down in front of him in a bid to win the ball and makes forceful contact to Johannisen's shoulder, while there is also a head clash," the panel said.

"After viewing all available footage, it was the view of the panel that Cameron did not (have) a realistic alternative way to contest the ball."

The no head clash part is different I guess in this instance.

[Hotdog60]

With our record from MRO and tribunal you can probably expect 2 weeks.

If it had been Jeremy Cameron doing the exact same thing to Jackson Macrae "no case to answer"

Should Michael Christian be true to form we absolutely need to challenge and if that is not overturned by the tribunal I would suggest take it to court.

Michael Christian can save the AFL lots by having a good look and class it as incidental contact with no case to answer.

I agree, they are talking in the media that Naughton's eyes looked at Whitfield. Big deal Aaron straight lined the ball and didn't deviate and if he goes for playing our game the way it's meant to be played then we need to challenge until there are no options left.
If Naught's had balked at going for the ball the coach, players and fans wouldn't have been happy.
It a contact sport and it a game about playing the ball take that away and you take away the very fabric of the game itself.
Cameron said in his presser that there was nothing in it and just two players going hard at the footy.

[ratsmac]

If Naughts even gets a reprimand there's something wrong. You might as well make it a non contact sport somehow. I feel sorry for Whitfield...... you should've seen the look on you let face just then It couldn't have happened to a better bloke I say. Well maybe Toby Green or Jeremy Cameron or Phil Davis or let's just say GWS.

No case to answer and the video of the incident used as a promotional video for our game!

[Remi Moses]

Oh FFS ! Why is this even discussed ?
Two players going at the ball
In Aaron’s favour is he v lined the ball and protected himself
You can’t legislate for every collision in a contact sport
It’s impossible! Jog on

[AshMac]

As a non biased life long dogs fan there’s nothing in it. Straight line for ball, accidental contact in a 50:50 contest.

As the AFL - who knows. He looked at Whitfield, slightly braced his shoulders and made direct contact with the head. Whitfield didn’t return which always adds to it.

The choice ahead of him was go in hard to match the tone started by the giants or pull out of the run - as the first player to chase the ball - and let Whitfield take possession.

If Burgoyne can get off in an obvious sling tackle which almost knocked out the AFL’s (non richmond) favourite boy - then there is nothing in this but I wouldn’t be surprised either way.

[GVGjr]

It doesn't even get to the tribunal. Ran a straight line and the onus is on Whitfield to protect himself
Had he veered off line to collect Whitfield it's a different discussion

[azabob]

He's in trouble. 1 week.

I don't agree with it - just what will happen.

[GVGjr]

He's in trouble. 1 week.

I don't agree with it - just what will happen.

But how do they get to that point? Logically it doesn't make it to the tribunal

[bornadog]

He's in trouble. 1 week.

I don't agree with it - just what will happen.

Is that your opinion, or official?

[GVGjr]

Is that your opinion, or official?

A prediction I believe

[azabob]

But how do they get to that point? Logically it doesn't make it to the tribunal

Logically it shouldn't make it to the tribunal.

But head high contact and concussion is not thought through logically.

You are correct in saying it is not a reportable offence, so he should not have a case to answer.

[SonofScray]

No way that should even be considered illegal. Incidental contact in competition for the footy.

[GVGjr]

Logically it shouldn't make it to the tribunal.

But head high contact and concussion is not thought through logically.

You are correct in saying it is not a reportable offence, so he should not have a case to answer.

From my perspective it doesn't pass the tests. Eyes for the footy, not reckless, doesn't veer off the line and he doesn't brace himself for contact or jump into it.

There is no doubt there is head high contact but there is no other option assuming the premise is that the players can still hunt the ball at speed.

Clear as day it gets looked at because Whitfield was concussed but it doesn't even make it to the tribunal

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Head contact so I'm concerned. AFL number one safety issue, even if Whitfield used his head to stop a rampaging bull. In my books Whitfield should be carged with disregard for life, his own. However if the beaurocrats are blindly punishing head contact, Naughton could get suspended.