The dangerous tackle was again the focus of conversation on Saturday with GWS midfielder Callan Ward potentially set to face MRO scrutiny for his tackle on Brisbane’s Lachie Neale.
At first glance, it appeared Ward slammed Neale into the Manuka Oval surface with his head hitting the ground as the Lion was awarded a free kick in the third quarter of the match Brisbane eventually won by 21 points.
Another tackle for the MRO to scrutinise - will Callan Ward be suspended for this tackle on Lachie Neale?#AFLCatsSwans pic.twitter.com/4l92YNS2L7
— 7AFL (@7AFL) April 22, 2023
Upon further examination though, many felt Neale allowed himself to be taken down easily, with Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon suggesting the Brownlow medallist “contributed” to the incident by not doing his best to stand up in the tackle.
SEN’s Andy Maher and Nathan Buckley also weighed in on the debate with Maher stating it will be “really disappointing” if players begin exploiting the rule to win free kicks, something Buckley believes players will inherently do.
It’ll be really disappointing if players start flopping and feigning head injuries in tackles to try to win cheap free kicks. Nothing about that is in the spirit of the modern game.
— Andy Maher (@AndyMaherDFA) April 22, 2023
Players started leading with the head when the stricter interpretation came in…
— Nathan Buckley (@ncb_cfc) April 22, 2023
Players allowed themselves to be tripped when contact beneath the knees came in…
Players will always take advantage of the rules…
Umpiring is a tough gig, needs to be made easier not harder.
Collingwood midfielder Taylor Adam - who is currently suspended for one game for a dangerous tackle of his own - also had his say, suggesting the umpires should blow the whistle earlier to avoid such incidents occurring.
Blow the whistle earlier
— Taylor Adams (@taylor_adams13) April 22, 2023
Ward will learn whether he will face sanctioning once the MRO’s report comes through on Sunday.