The AFL Tribunal’s decision to overturn Mason Cox’s one-match ban was influenced by the public scrutiny surrounding the initial call, according to SEN Afternoons Andy Maher.
Cox was instead handed a $3000 fine after the Tribunal found that he carelessly – not intentionally – engaged in rough conduct with Richmond defender Dylan Grimes.
While disagreeing with the suspension of the Collingwood forward, Maher can’t understand how his off-the-ball bump was found to be careless and not intentional.
“I just think the Tribunal in this one has bowed to public pressure,” he told SEN Afternoons.
“If you look at the incident, it has to be intentional over careless and if it stays at intentional, he has to get a week.
“Don’t think for one minute that I’m saying that Mason Cox should have got a week for that, because I’m not saying that, I don’t think that it’s a reportable offence.
“But once you deem it a reportable offence, which the Tribunal has … to call it careless instead of intentional … can you possibly explain to me how you can do that?”
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Three-time All-Australian Nick Dal Santo has called for the Magpies to be financially compensated following the Tribunal’s decision.
“What I saw from last Thursday night with Mason Cox was at worst a soft body check, at worst,” Dal Santo said.
“Collingwood should be asking for compensation.”
The American is now free to play in Saturday night’s Grand Final rematch against West Coast at the MCG.
