AFL great Mark Ricciuto disagrees with Match Review Panel decision to ban Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield for one week
2003 Brownlow Medallist Mark Ricciuto says the AFL’s new focus on head protection was admirable but shouldn’t result in suspensions where there was no untoward intent.
AFL great Mark Ricciuto says it will be a miscarriage of justice if Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield is robbed of consecutive Brownlow Medals through suspension by antiquated AFL rules.
Raging 2017 Brownlow favourite Dangerfield was handed a one match suspension by the Match Review Panel for a tackle that mildly concussed Carlton’s Matt Kreuzer at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Ricciuto, a 2003 Brownlow Medallist, says the AFL’s new focus on head protection was admirable but shouldn’t result in suspensions where there was no untoward intent.
“I don’t think accidents or bad luck should cost you a Brownlow. You are still a fair player,” said Ricciuto.
Dangerfield has revealed he appealed for a holding the ball decision on Kruezer for a one motion tackle he thought was legal.
“Danger wasn’t trying to concuss Matt Kreuzer, he was trying to get him holding the ball. He shouldn’t be ineligible for that,” Ricciuto told The Advertiser.
“It is different to Thomas Bugg which was intentional punch to the head, you are done for that.”
Ricciuto hopes Geelong contests Dangerfield’s ban saying: “They probably have to appeal with so much riding on it if they thought they had any chance.”
Ricciuto noted how harsh suspensions dilute a legend and legacy in Dangerfield’s case or cost champions a place in history.
In 1996 Corey McKernan was denied a Brownlow with Michael Voss and James Hird, because he was rubbed out for falling into the back of John Barnes with his knee.
Chris Grant polled one more vote than Robert Harvey in 1997 but was denied the medal because he’d served a one-match ban for an open hand slap.
“That’s the by product of all this stuff,” said Ricciuto who pointed to 2015 Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe’s close shave with suspension for a bump on North Melbourne’s Ben Jacobs.
“I don’t know why they didn't do something about this a few years ago. They have protected the head which everyone agrees with because of concussion but a lot of the injuries regarding the head are not intentional.”
Ricciuto said the game’s forefathers in awarding the original 1924 Brownlow Medal only had suspension for premediated thuggery and as cause for ineligility.
“The way fines are you get three and get a game. That is not right. I think if you get suspended for up to two games you should still be eligible,” said Ricciuto.
“There are tackles and bumps which we have been doing for 100 years and is hard for a player all of a sudden to change his game and get it right.
“These tiggy-touchwood suspensions shouldn’t make anyone ineligible for the Brownlow. I think when the created the rules for Brownlow Medal all those years ago it was more to do with violent acts like elbows to the face.”