AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has issued a firm response to Jimmy Webster’s vicious hit on Jy Simpkin, stating “we don’t want it in our game”.
Webster made heavy shoulder contact with Simpkin’s head during the first quarter of the Saints-Roos pre-season clash at RSEA Park on Sunday afternoon, igniting an ugly melee between players.
Simpkin — who has now suffered three concussions in the past nine months — has since entered the league’s mandatory 12-day protocols and is in doubt to play in North Melbourne’s Round 1 bout with GWS on March 16.
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Dillon declared it was obvious the incident would be referred directly to the AFL Tribunal – which the league on Monday night confirmed it had been.
“As I looked at it, and St Kilda (has) already been on the record today as saying that this, it’s an action that we don’t need in our game and we don’t want it in our game,” Dillon told AFL 360.
“So, it was really clear to me that it was going straight to the Tribunal. The MRO looked at it today and that’s where they’ve sent it.”
Quizzed on the state of the Tribunal – taking into account the current climate regarding concussion – Dillon assured the AFL’s priority is clear.
“The Tribunal guidelines were reviewed in the off-season and we’ve done that again. And as we look through that, I think it’s really clear that protection for the players is of the utmost (importance) for us,” said Dillon.
Powell-Pepper suspended for four games | 02:19
The game’s top boss addressed Webster’s impending suspension, comparing the Saint’s act to that of Port Adelaide forward Sam Powell-Pepper, who was last week banned four matches for concussing Adelaide’s Mark Keane.
“Look, it’s not easy (to decide on the length of a ban) and it’s one of the hardest parts of any of the roles when you’re on that regulatory side,” continued Dillon.
“What we will do is look at other incidents, and then you’ve got to look at the gradings … All of those things get taken into account. If you look at the Webster one compared to Powell-Pepper, there are differences, and I think they would be taken into account when we come to a sanction.
“I’m probably not going to put a number (of weeks) on it now, but I heard what you guys said in the opening and I think you’re right.
“The community expectations are changing, and the AFL – we have to be at the forefront of that and we have to evolve with the community standards changing.
‘Clearly, there is no defence for it’ | 01:08
“The clubs even coming out and accepting (that the act is wrong) almost before the Tribunal is something we haven’t seen previously.”
Webster’s Tribunal hearing is expected to take place on Tuesday.
Dillon was also probed for his thoughts on the effectiveness of the league’s current drug policy, as well as hinting at keeping the Grand Final’s highly debated start time.
“(The drug policy) has changed a number of players’ lives – and if it’s only been one or two, it was worth it,” he said.
“The Grand Final last year was one of the best in living memory — it was the day Grand Final.”
The Collingwood-Brisbane decider last year kicked off at 2:30pm, with some pundits pushing for a twilight start time.
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