Adelaide Footy League sends early dangerous tackling warning with hefty suspensions
The Adelaide Footy League has dished out a whopping number of suspensions for dangerous tackling in just three rounds of season 2023.
Local Sport
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The Adelaide Footy League has already dished out 39 games worth of suspensions to its players in mens and women's’ competitions in just three rounds as it increases its efforts to stamp out dangerous tackling at the local level.
A total of nine players across the league’s senior competitions have been suspended through the first three rounds of play.
The crackdown comes as the game faces CTE revelations at all levels, and as the AFL increases its efforts to punish ‘sling’ or other forms of dangerous tackling.
Adelaide Footy League chief John Kernahan said that, despite recent lengthy suspensions, the league had been on the front foot with protecting the head for multiple seasons.
“There may be an increase in suspensions across other leagues but we’re actually seeing our graph go down, but to be fair, we’re a long way ahead of the curve on this,” Kernahan said.
“We don’t apologise for our penalties being harsh and that is justified by our priority to protecting the welfare of those who want to play the game in the right spirit.”
While the league had been attempting to crack down on dangerous tackling in previous seasons, Kernahan said it had experienced less resistance from players and clubs this year.
He said the AFL taking a stand so far in 2023 had helped local leagues to get the message across and would in turn ensure the game is safe and accessible for everyone involved.
“Let’s be under no illusion that whatever happens on the field at AFL level, whether it be tripping, vilification, umpire abuse or dangerous tackling, gets beamed across the nation and makes an impression on young football players that this is all okay if the AFL doesn’t act,” Kernahan said.
“There are many layers to this issue including the welfare of players but if the football industry doesn’t get in front of this as a whole, we’re going to see increases in insurance levies – that means the game will be more expensive to play which in turn would negatively impact participation, it will be out of reach for many.
“2023 is the first year we have experienced less push back from our own players because the AFL is making a stand against this side of the game.”
Just like at AFL level, the Adelaide Footy League’s punishment of sling, dump, or “dangerous” tackling will mean clubs and players will need to adjust.
Kernahan said he was confident of this happening.
“Our umpires are reporting they are noticing a significant level of adjustment to the way players in general in our league are approaching the game.
“We take a significant level of comfort that while this can frustrate our clubs, we enjoy not only their support in what the league is doing, but they’re doing their bit to pass on the message to players that if they want to be free to play every week, play within our rules.”
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