AFL legend Kevin Bartlett doesn’t think Richmond defender Alex Rance should have been fined for his dive against Essendon.
Match Review Officer Michael Christian hit Rance with a $1,000 fine for staging, after being pushed by Bomber Shaun McKernan.
The incident saw Rance win the free kick, and Bartlett thinks the financial sanction for the 28-year-old isn’t justified.
“If the umpire pays a free kick to Rance, how can you actually fine him for staging?” he told SEN’s KB and The Doc.
“I thought you’d only get fined if it led to a player being reported.
“If Alex Rance actually got a push in the back, and it was a free kick, the fact that he over exaggerated, he shouldn’t get fined $1,000 for that.
“He might get laughed at by the fans and that for over acting and being theatrical. If he got pushed in the back, if it’s a free kick, he shouldn’t get a $1,000 fine.
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“He got a push, so it was a free kick. Are they saying it’s not a free kick?
“If that free kick was paid for a push, the fact he was a bit theatrical about it, he shouldn’t get fined $1,000.”
Rance has been criticised by numerous former players, including Kane Cornes, Wayne Carey and Paul Roos, for his actions.