AFL round 8 MRO, injury news: Nick Larkey avoids suspension for tackle on Jaxon Prior

The AFL has avoided another week of tribunal angst from Arden St after North Melbourne spearhead Nick Larkey escaped suspension for his tackle on Jaxon Prior.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 01: Jaxon Prior of the Bombers is tackled by Nick Larkey of the Kangaroos during the 2025 AFL Round 08 match between the Essendon Bombers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium on May 1, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

North Melbourne star Nick Larkey’s capacity to slow opponent Jaxon Prior’s momentum in the tackle that saw the Essendon defender’s head hit the turf saw him dodge another contentious AFL suspension.

Only hours before North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson called on the AFL to bring about a mid-season rule change after Paul Curtis’ three-week ban, Larkey put himself in the MRO gun.

Larkey chased down Prior and pinned both arms in a tackle that saw him spin Prior around and roll him over his own body before he eventually hit the turf.

Prior grabbed his head after hitting the turf and received the free kick, barrelling into Larkey moments later in the goalsquare to give away a stupid free kick.

But in rolling Prior he slowed his momentum rather than using his body weight to drive him into the ground.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 01: Jaxon Prior of the Bombers is tackled by Nick Larkey of the Kangaroos during the 2025 AFL Round 08 match between the Essendon Bombers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium on May 1, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Prior holds his head after the tackle.

The tribunal in the Paul Curtis case ruled that Curtis did not try to roll or turn his opponent Josh Sinn, who was concussed.

So Larkey’s action in attempting to roll his opponent rather than driving him forward went in his favour and meant he escaped without even a fine.

Prior tackled Cam Zurhaar earlier in the quarter in a tackle that spun the Roos defender around before his head hit the turf.

But Zurhaar had both his hands free so while the action was forceful he was not in a vulnerable position and could have protected himself.

Clarkson let loose on Friday night after the loss, saying he had heard AFL football boss Laura Kane suggest the league might bring in a football accidents clause so players like Curtis did not face three-week bans for nearly-perfect tackles.

“It also doesn’t make sense that the AFL come out and say ‘oh we might change that at the end of the year’, doesn’t help us, we’re really disappointed with that,” Clarkson said.

“Really strong leadership would say ‘we understand it’s wrong and we’ll change it right now’.

“He shouldn’t be missing three weeks of footy.”

Former St Kilda star Leigh Montagna said on Fox Footy on Thursday night Larkey’s tackle highlighted how difficult it was for players to judge what to do when trying to win a holding the ball decision.

“Off the Paul Curtis incident where they are saying ‘If you’re running down from behind, you can’t try and drop your knees and (let) your momentum take them forward, so you’ve got to try and roll them’ – that’s what Nick Larkey did in that situation,” Montagna said.

“Then you’re in danger of getting done for a dangerous tackle.”

Originally published as AFL round 8 MRO, injury news: Nick Larkey avoids suspension for tackle on Jaxon Prior