Former Western Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy believes the circumstances surrounding Katie Brennan’s AFLW Grand Final suspension are unfair.
The Dogs star has been rubbed out of the decider, after a second reprimand for a tackle on Melbourne’s Harriet Cordner which was deemed careless, with low impact to the head.
In the AFLW, the first offence results in a reprimand, with the second a suspension, but the same misdemeanour in the men’s league would result in a $5,000 fine, something Murphy disagrees with.
“That seems fundamentally unfair,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“Shouldn’t it be the same and the dollar amount be a percentage?
“That’s going to twist the blade for Katie.”
Murphy also explained how he doesn’t think Brennan should have been banned, as her action didn’t meet the requirements for a sling tackle.
“Take the romance out, that’s beside the point,” he said.
“I don’t think she should have been suspended.
“I don’t think there were two actions. I think for the sling tackle, it is, I’ve got the arms, now I’m going to lift.
“It’s a hard tackle, it’s a free kick, no worries about that.
“The Melbourne player gets a handball, so there could be an argument made that the tackle didn’t pin the arms.
“I think that’s grounds to appeal it as far as you can go with a Grand Final on the line.”
Murphy laughed off the idea that he was used in Brennan’s defence.
