AFL CHIEF Gillon McLachlan has forecast new rules to rid the game of punching as the match review panel failed to suspend Kangaroo Ben Cunnington for his hit on Demon Bernie Vince.
The incident was seen as a test case in the face of growing community ill-ease over punching in the game — and the result was a $ 1000 fine.
WATCH BEN CUNNINGTON’S GUT PUNCH IN THE VIDEO ABOVE
The verdict came after match review panel member Jimmy Bartel had called on the league to introduce greater powers for the five-man panel, saying penalties for a punch should be “black and white”.
A special category was needed for “non-football acts”, like punching, the former Cats star said.
Ben Cunnington can accept a $ 1000 fine for his gut punch on Bernie Vince.Source:AAP
The panel determined Cunnington’s gut punch on Vince — that forced the Demon from the field and left him dry-retching — had been intentional but low-impact, which brought the penalty down from a ban to fine.
McLachlan, speaking before the finding, said punching has no place on the field.
“I can talk in broad terms and be unequivocal — I don’t like punching in our game,” he said.
“I don’t feel it’s the look we want and to the extent that our rules don’t provide for it (appropriate sanctions), we’ll look to change them.
“I think that (Sunday’s game) was the one where people have been talking about a significant level of emotional physical play … without talking about any specific instance, I don’t like players punching other players regardless of where it is.”
Sunday’s fiery clash was punctuated by dozens of “jumper punches” as players regularly faced off.
Richmond captain Trent Cotchin escaped with a fine for a jumper punch on Docker Lachie Neale in Round 8, another outcome that was criticised in some quarters.
After Sunday’s clash, North Melbourne coach Brad Scott described the jumper punch as a “cheap shot” that umpires should act on.
McLachlan conceded “many would count Trent lucky” to have been given a fine, and that umpires should act “if they see something in any form”.
“Whether it’s jumper punching or holding the ball — if in doubt, pay the free kick,” he said.
The match review panel is bound by a table of offences that grades conduct, impact and area of contact to provide a base sanction and early plea discounts.
But Bartel believes a separate set of guidelines is required.
“It would be great if you had something you call football acts and non-football acts,” Bartel said on RSN.
“By that I mean, when you’re trying to execute a football act and something goes wrong — as we talk about sling tackles or shepherding, spoiling — it’s graded in a certain way.
“Things like punching are not a part of our game so obviously that table would be significantly higher so then we can actually deal with punching, jumper punching (so) it’s almost black and white which is, I think, what people want.
Demon Christian Salem was in the thick of it and can accept a one match ban for elbowing Roo Shaun Higgins. Picture: George SalpigtidisSource:News Corp Australia
“The problem is it (the grading table) has become so small that they’re all lumped in together and you could get a week for a sling tackle because you’ve got to go through the boxes, but you could get a fine for punching.”
Former panel member Daniel Harford declared that the system is in need of “overhaul”, while North Melbourne premiership player Wayne Schwass labelled the decision a “joke”.
“MRP lacks credibility and consistency,” he tweeted.
“ … Fines for punching opponents embarrassing. Ridiculous precedent! Joke!”
The panel considered video evidence and a medical report from Melbourne in determining its sanction for the hit.
Cunnington’s teammate Shaun Higgins was also hit with a $ 1000 fine for striking key Dee Clayton Oliver to the throat, with the act deemed to be intentional and low impact.
Melbourne’s Christian Salem can accept a one-match ban with an early plea for his elbow on Higgins.
Swan Kurt Tippett’s match day report for striking Saints skipper Jarryn Geary attracted a $ 1000 fine, while Bombers forward Joe Daniher can also accept a $ 1000 fine for rough conduct on Eagle Sam Mitchell.
Blue Patrick Cripps was hit with a $ 1000 fine for front-on contact with Brady Grey.
Cats skipper Joel Selwood was cleared for making contact with Dog Tom Boyd, with the panel determining that the force used was below what is required for a report.
Callum Mills was also cleared for his contact on Jack Newnes, with the panel stating that the Swan was “contesting the ball and had no realistic alternative way to contest the ball”.
Originally published as ‘I don’t like punching’: AFL to get tough
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