COLLINGWOOD players approached Sam Wicks before the game to question him about his boots.
It can be revealed that several Pies players noticed Wicks’ choice of steel studs ahead of the opening bounce and told him they were not allowed.
Collingwood’s Isaac Quaynor was stretchered off the ground in the win over the Swans after suffering a 20cm gash down his left shin cause by Wicks’ boots. Metal studs are banned in the AFL under regulation 4.6 (j), which outlines “metal stops on boots are not permitted to be worn during a match.”
Quaynor spent last night in hospital where he had staples and stitches were used to close the gaping wound.
The emerging second-year player is back on his feet today, with heavy bandaging around his lower left leg.
AFL football operations boss Steve Hocking today wrote to all clubs warning them any boots with metal studs are not allowed, with any future breach exposing them to a fine of up to $40,000.
“The health and safety of everyone in our game, both on and off the field, is always our highest priority,” Hocking said.
“Football boots with exposed metal studs have the potential to cause injuries and have no place across any level of our game.
“There are players in the competition who have been wearing boots direct from manufacturers that feature screw-in studs that have a hybrid soleplate, which includes both plastic and aluminium stops, and these are not compliant with AFL regulations.
“It is the responsibility of clubs and players to work with manufacturers to ensure football boots worn by all players are compliant with AFL Regulations and ensure a duty of care to themselves, their teammates and opposition players.”
Wicks was wearing the Nike Tiempo Legend 8, which comes with a soft ground version that has a mix of steel and moulded studs.
The Swans released a statement saying Wicks was wearing “standard issue screw in boots, that have a hybrid soleplate which includes plastic and aluminium stops.
“These boots are understood to be widely worn by players across the competition.
“Following discussions with the AFL it has become clear that these boots are not compliant with AFL regulations.
“The Sydney Swans will take steps to rectify this immediately to ensure that all boots are compliant going forward.”