Hawthorn ruck Lloyd Meek is almost certain to be suspended after a late hit on Collingwood’s Pat Lipinski, that left the winger with a concussion that will be harshly scrutinised under the AFL’s controversial MRO guidelines.
As a piercing kick inside 50 from five-goal hero Jamie Elliott looked to have laced out teammate Lipinski 14 minutes before three-quarter time, with the Magpies up and about by 38 points.
But a last-minute decision from Meek to enter the contest from behind — with the star big man only leaving the ground as Lipinski got both hands on the ball.
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Tempers flared as Lipinski’s head hit the turf, with the in-play umpire awarding a 50 metre penalty to the former Bulldog.
The 26-year-old wandered into an open goal to kick his second major for the night, before quickly running from the field for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) test; one that he later failed as his side wen on to beat Hawthorn by 51 points.
Speaking on Fox Footy at three-quarter time, reporter Jon Ralph was adamant that Meek will be dealt a punishment worth multiple weeks by the Match Review Officer (MRO) come Saturday evening.
“I think it’s a three-week ban for Lloyd Meek, I don’t think there’s any way where he gets off this one,” Ralph said.
“He hits Lipinski high, he’s responsible for that contact — even if he hits his head on the ground there. I just don’t think that he actually tried to contest that football.”
“I don’t think there’s any chance he gets off it unfortunately for the Hawthorn fans and the Hawthorn coach in Sam Mitchell.”
Ralph elaborated on the incident after the match.
“The problem is … it was late, and it was high. It doesn’t really matter whether it was caused by the late fist to the head, or it was caused by Lipinski’s head hitting the ground. He is responsible for all that contact,” he continued.
“I do think it’s late enough for a ‘rough conduct’ (charge). So the concussion means it has to be three weeks, it has to be severe impact.
“If Lipinski gets up, that’s probably a low level, $1,500 fine. I think all of us understand that’s a real flaw in the system, but that is the system that Michael Christian (MRO) has to operate under.
“I think he’s in strife there.”
Fox Footy’s Friday Night Footy panel dissected Meek’s actions further after Ralph’s insight, with a unanimous agreement that the act shouldn’t see the ruck sidelined until Round 17 after three games and a mid-season bye.
“If the outcome in terms of a concussion is reached, and that becomes a three-week penalty, then that should trigger the AFL to come out and make a change to the way that they legislate against these actions. There should be something in between nothing and three, and it should be done now … they can do it anytime,” Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley said.
“(This is a one-week suspension) if anything … it’s zero, or one.”
Three-time Brisbane premiership player Jonathan Brown added: “The players should be allowed every right to try to make an attempt on the spoil. I think it’s unfair to be expecting players to be absolute, perfect decision (makers).
“I’m happy enough for him to have a sanction, but it shouldn’t be three, because that is a player just genuinely doing his best for the team to get there and make a spoil.
“I’m concerned that we will lose a player in the first or second week of a final (for) a grand final — when the whole footy world is going: ‘That is unfair’.
“Andrew Dillon has showed tremendous leadership during the week; continue on with that leadership. ‘Bang!’ Captain’s call, this is what we’re doing, the whole footy world agrees with it.”
Four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis ended by saying: “I don’t think anyone would argue the point if it was one week, because there’s a level of responsibility. But three weeks is just ridiculous.”
“Andrew Dillon has showed tremendous leadership during the week; continue on with that leadership. ‘Bang!’ Captain’s call, this is what we’re doing, the whole footy world agrees with it.”
Collingwood coach Craig McRae was also asked on the incident post-game, but noted that he’d need to see the vision again before commenting too much on the matter.
“I’ll have to watch it (and) see it. Obviously there’s a remonstration for the contest… and there’s a concussion there now,” McRae told Fox Footy commentator Gerard Whateley.
Only on Tuesday evening did Fremantle captain Alex Pearce have a three-week ban overturned at the Tribunal, after his mid-air collision with Port Adelaide’s Darcy Byrne-Jones that was a crucial test case for players contesting the ball in incidents which cause a concussion.
Lipinski now won’t return until at least Round 15, as the league’s concussion protocols prevent him from returning for the King’s Birthday clash with Melbourne in Round 13, before their club bye the week after.
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