A collision between Brisbane’s Darcy Wilmot and Sydney’s Will Hayward raised eyebrows during a practice match on Thursday night.
While Hayward was awarded a free kick for high contact, SEN Breakfast’s David King and Kane Cornes posed the question: Who is in the right?
As seen in the video below, Wilmot turns his body while contesting the ball, while Hayward leads with his head.
WATCH THE COLLISION BELOW
Kingy says this should be play on.
— SEN Breakfast (@SENBreakfast) February 29, 2024
He says the AFL must disincentivise going head first into a contest.
Will Hayward was given a free kick here, however Kingy believes his technique is correct.
Do you agree? pic.twitter.com/KxAj5TjsW9
Dual North Melbourne premiership player King suggested the onus should instead be on Hayward and stated Wilmot contested the ball correctly.
The AFL is in the midst of a class action on the topic of concussions in the game and has made it clear in recent years that head knocks are no longer acceptable in avoidable circumstances.
“Make the change and disincentivise players leading with the head. The call here (should be) play on, so you make it easier for the umpire,” King said.
“If you deem that Darcy Wilmot has come in too aggressively and gone outside the laws then he can get reported by the MRO and serve his time… but in this instance, I don’t think he has, it’s just poor technique from Hayward.”
Cornes added: “I’m wondering whether Wilmot gets suspended for this, which is just ridiculous if you look at it because he has bumped Hayward, who, by the definition of it, has his head over the ball and vulnerable.
“But Wilmot has done what we’ve all been taught since the age of five.”
Listen to the full discussion between King and Cornes below: