St Kilda defender Jimmy Webster in strife after Jy Simpkin high shot
Fans and experts alike are demanding a severe penalty for a Saints defender after yet another sickening AFL high shot.
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Fans and experts alike have reacted with outrage after yet another sickening high shot rocked an AFL pre-season game.
Less than a week since Port Adelaide’s Sam Powell-Pepper was handed a four-week ban for his high shot on Crow Mark Keane, St Kilda defender Jimmy Webster has wiped out North’s Jy Simpkin at Moorabbin Oval.
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Simpkin, who has a history of concussion issues, had just kicked the ball on the boundary line when Webster jumped from the ground and collected the midfielder with the full force of his body and tucked elbow.
The incident sparked a melee between the teams and Simpkin required medical attention before being helped from the ground.
The North co-captain played no further part in the game and Webster can also expect a major delay to his 2024 campaign.
The response was swift and damning for 30-year-old Webster, who has played 133 games for the Saints since making his debut back in 2012.
“Ten weeks. Simple as that,” ex-Roos star and Fox Footy commentator David King wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“I just hope Jy Simpkin is OK. Just so unnecessary. I hope we aren’t still having this conversation anymore in ‘24.”
Many others felt a spell of at least six weeks is required for the veteran defender.
“As for Jimmy Webster this is disgusting, a dog act with no place in modern footy,” wrote another X user.
“He shouldn’t play for 6+ weeks, even that would feel light.”
“Honestly the more you watch it, 8+ feels appropriate,” was another comment. “Landmark case for the AFL.”
“6 (weeks)? Should be 12 weeks at a minimum,” added a third. “It’s a practice match for goodness sake.”
Another X user was keen to remind everyone of ex-Swan Paddy McCartin’s sad situation, the former Saints’ No. 1 draft pick who was forced to retire due to repeated concussions.
“Eight week spell and have a phone call to former number one pick for the Saints who recently had to retire,” they wrote.
Commentators watching on during the moment were initially unsighted before reacting once they had seen the replays.
Absolutely disgusting hit. Left the ground, hit him high, no intent for the ball. This could be a line in the sand kind of moment for the AFL
— Kikdit (@gregf39) March 3, 2024
“Once again, that vulnerable state where you’ve got rid of the ball and think the game’s going to protect you and you get that hit late,” Hawks premiership winner Jordan Lewis said.
“As commentators, former players, fans of the game, we don’t want to see that.
“He’ll get dealt with quite harshly you would think.
“All the education that we receive in the media and the AFL and what former players are going through (following concussions), you would’ve hoped we wouldn’t see that ever again.
“But there are some players out there that just do some stupid things.”
Leigh Montagna, another former Saint, agreed.
“That is not a good look,” he said. “That is exactly what we’re trying to stamp out of the game.”
“Players are repeatedly told not to leave the ground,” Ben Dixon added. “So it was just stupid.”
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