Mark Robinson on Jimmy Webster’s bump and Alastair Clarkson’s slur

If Alastair Clarkson is not punished with a sizeable fine, the AFL is telling all footballers that it’s OK to use homophobic language, writes Mark Robinson.

Jimmy Webster is going to get whacked by the AFL and so should North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson.

Webster will apologise to Jy Simpkin and will be suspended for anywhere between six and eight matches.

Clarkson has apologised to Webster and St Kilda for calling Webster a c---sucker and, at this point, has not been punished.

Webster has been called gutless for his late hit on the Kangaroos skipper, and the AFL would be accused of the same if it did not charge Clarkson with bringing the game into disrepute.

His homophobic slur at Webster is unacceptable.

It is a term not uncommon at the pub, or on building sites, and while the ol’ schoolers will say it was said in the heat of the moment and said on the footy field, the fact is football is a workplace.

Try it at your workplace and see how quickly the HR department gives you a buzz.

Alastair Clarkson has apologised to Jimmy Webster and St Kilda. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

If Clarkson is not punished with a sizeable fine, the AFL is telling all footballers that it’s OK to use homophobic language – as long as you apologise.

Footy boss Laura Kane must enforce the code of conduct on the North Melbourne coach who, it must be said, has a history of misdemeanour incidents, albeit one of those incidents in his playing days was pure violence.

Webster didn’t use his fist to KO Simpkin, but knock him out he did.

And just as community expectations demand a long suspension for Webster, amid the concussion debate, the community expectation is that you can’t call a person a c---sucker and not be sanctioned.

What a grubby line from an AFL coach. What if Webster is gay and Clarkson just outed him? And if he’s not gay, the inference is shocking.

As leader of our sport, it’s imperative that the AFL represents the community expectations.

Simpkin can’t be ignored. He was knocked out and suffered his third concussion inside 12 months. He didn’t deserve it, nor should he have expected it.

Webster is expected to be banned for anywhere between six and eight matches. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

North Melbourne Players remonstrate after Jy Simpkin was floored. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

Rightly, there are concerns about brain trauma, which is why there are 100 footballers in the Supreme Court fighting the AFL for compensation.

There’s confidence the AFL will act accordingly with Webster.

It’s the behaviour that has to be eradicated and that’s why there’s been outpouring of condemnation of the Saints’ defender.

The AFL whacked Port Adelaide’s Sam Powell-Pepper with a four-weeks suspension for a headhigh bump in a situation that wasn’t all his doing. This is much worse.

Webster is in the firestorm because he decided to try to hurt Simpkin with every ounce of hostility he could muster.

Webster has been called stupid. And Clarkson called him a c---ucker.

Both incidents have no place in the game.

Originally published as Mark Robinson on Jimmy Webster’s bump and Alastair Clarkson’s slur