SEN host Dwayne Russell has called for the AFL to initiate a larger fines policy in response to players staging.
Geelong forward Tom Hawkins was cited by the Match Review Officer for staging in the Easter Monday clash with Hawthorn, in an incident that led to a goal, while Harry McKay was fined the week prior for a similar flop.
Instances of players staging have been a hot topic in recent time with the AFL failing to stamp out the act, but Russell believes fines increasing up to 10 times would be the way to remove staging from the AFL.
“Now, Tom Hawkins, he got a nudge that was definitely not a nudge by a player going for the ball, it was a nudge by a player not going for the ball trying to keep him out of the contest,” he said on SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“But he definitely put so much mayo on it, it was hard to watch. You don’t want that happening, I’m not a suspension guy when it comes to this stuff, but I’m a big fine guy.
“So I think it would hurt if you made it (the fine for staging) $10,000, I would raise the fines’ system in the AFL to large numbers so it does have an impact, not leave it at the small number it is right now that’s the equivalent of what some players have in their ashtray.
“So I agree that something needs to be done to stop the staging and why the AFL hasn’t, I’m not sure, but I’m not a suspension for it (staging) guy, I am a larger fine (guy).”
Russell’s comments come after North Melbourne great David King also called for an increase in fines earlier this week, saying flops that lead to goals should leave players more out of pocket.
“I’ve had enough – I’ve had enough of players staging, faking, diving, whatever you want to call it,” King told SEN’s Whateley.
“We’re not savage enough, are we? I think the $1000 fine is merely a starting point. I think it should be elevated if the free kick that you’ve clearly acted for and conned the umpire becomes a goal.
“It’s $1000 for staging, but if that results in a goal, it goes from $1000 to $2500 and if you want to keep doing it, you’ll keep racking up these bills.”
McKay was fined $1000 for his first offence of staging, while Hawkins’ incident was viewed as exaggeration, but not enough to warrant a fine.