Alastair Clarkson defends Kangaroos player ahead of appeal

Alastair Clarkson says he hopes Griffin Logue’s one-match ban is overturned amid concerns for players trying to protect themselves.

North Melbourne key defender Griffin Logue is challenging a week on the sidelines at Tuesday night’s AFL tribunal following a high bump on Hawk Will Day. Picture: Paul Kane / Getty Images

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson says he is worried players will not have enough options to protect themselves if Griffin Logue’s suspension is upheld on Tuesday night.

Actions like Logue’s decision to hit Hawthorn midfielder Will Day side-on last weekend were split second decisions made to protect the player’s own head, Clarkson said.

He said the issue was “really delicate” due to the need to protect all players’ heads, but the alternative to what Logue did may have been a head clash with far worse consequences.

“We don’t necessarily classify this as a bump as much as it is just two bodies that are coming together,” Clarkson said.

“There needs to be an element where you protect yourself so you don’t clash heads.

“In our view, it’s happened so, so quickly – that’s the reason we want to get it tested at the tribunal tonight; just to get an assessment on what is allowed in the game and what’s not.”

Clarkson said the head-high bumps in round 1 which ended with a trio of players being suspended were a “different kettle of fish”.

Alastair Clarkson says Griffin Logue made a split second decision to protect his own head when he collided with Will Day against Hawthorn on Saturday. Picture: Steve Bell / Getty Images

“That decision in our view was around trying to protect himself rather than trying to take the player out,” he said.

“To the naked eye it looks a whole lot worse than it actually is.

“If we don’t actually protect ourselves, then the only means to compete for the ball is both heads going for the ball at one time, which could be really dangerous.”

Clarkson said star midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke will likely face a test on Thursday to determine whether he will play against the Blues on Friday afternoon.

Missing Davies-Uniacke and suspended co-captain Jy Simpkin, the Kangaroos were beaten around the stoppages against Hawthorn despite having a significant advantage in the contest in their opening two wins.

George Wardlaw (right) had 24 disposals, six clearances and six tackles against Southport in the VFL on Saturday. Picture: Michael Klein

Clarkson said he did not consider number four pick George Wardlaw to be available for senior selection, despite an impressive 24-disposal performance in the Kangaroos’ VFL win over Southport.

“We’ve been really patient with George; we’ve put together about a 10-week conditioning program for him because he’s just been so interrupted over the previous couple of years,” he said.

“He’s two games in … we’re really excited with what he’s been able to do but he’s not quite there yet in terms of his full match condition.

“We want him to be a 10 to 12-year player. It’s really tough – I think our supporters really want him to play, he wants to play … we’ve just got to make sure we give him every chance to have success when he does play.”

Originally published as Alastair Clarkson defends Kangaroos player ahead of appeal