Well, it didn’t take me very long to find something else to overreact to.
Of course, the AFL and their tribunal sure as hell gave me a hand in finding it.
I speak, of course, about the decision to uphold the ban imposed on Jackson Archer in the wake of a collision with young Bulldog, Luke Cleary, in the first clash of the year. Yes, the incident looked nasty. Yes, there were genuine concerns for the wellbeing of Cleary at the time.
But no… just no… it was not a malicious act worthy of three games on the sidelines, particularly as Archer did exactly what the league has been requesting players to mitigate the number of head injuries in the game.
Archer approached the contest, turned sideways, and kept his feet. Hell, by the tribunal’s own admission, he actually slowed down, as well – a 25% decrease in speed over the last few steps before contact was made. If anything, it was Cleary going to ground that was the ‘wrong’ aspect of the incident, but saying that would indicate I think he is at fault.
He wasn’t.
The fact of the matter is that there are times in this sport where nobody is at fault, and it is only when those in charge of the game are determined to lay blame at the feet (or in this case, the knee) of someone, that we end up in this position.
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