Missing a Grand Final through suspension worse than losing out on a Brownlow Medal, writes Mick Malthouse

BETTER now than on grand final eve for Patrick Dangerfield. MICK MALTHOUSE writes some players — and some clubs — never recover from a dreaded finals suspension.

Patrick Dangerfield suspension for a dangerous tackle on Matthew Kreuzer has ruled him out of Brownlow Medal contention. Picture: AAP

THE heartache of missing a Grand Final through suspension can best be reflected in the case of the late Neville Crowe.

He missed Richmond’s drought-breaking premiership in 1967 after being suspended for striking Carlton ruckman John Nicholls, and retired immediately.

Evidence now proves that he made no contact and the unfairness of the sanction is conclusive.

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The Tiger great never got over the injustice and could barely even face up to football for the next decade.

It may well just be a game, but a premiership is something AFL footballers dedicate their lives to. Missing out is honest heartbreak. Far more so than missing out on an individual honour.

Which is why Patrick Dangerfield and Geelong decided not to appeal his suspension.

Better to miss just one week than two in the lead up to finals, especially when a top two position is at stake.

Assuming Dangerfield goes on to poll the highest number of votes in the Brownlow, it will be awkward and disappointing that he won’t claim the medal.

Patrick Dangerfield has a Brownlow Medal, but not a premiership medallion. Picture: Nigel Hallett

But if on that Monday night in the last week of September, Geelong is preparing for a Grand Final, then I really don’t think he’ll mind.

He has a Brownlow already; he doesn’t yet own a premiership medallion.

Ask former Kangaroo Corey McKernan what he remembers most from football and I’m sure it’s the 1996 premiership above missing a Brownlow Medal because of suspension that same season.

Perhaps for Chris Grant — a vote winner but also ineligible, the following year — the scar would remain.

I was never close to winning a Brownlow but I very nearly missed out on playing in a premiership when I was reported by two umpires for striking in the second-semi in 1980.

Thankfully, after the longest wait of my life, John “Sammy” Newman was a wonderful witness and I got off.

To this day I thank him for being able to play in that Richmond premiership.

Because two years later I wasn’t as lucky, when a dislocated shoulder forced me out of the Grand Final.

The Tigers lost and my feeling of helplessness was replaced by regret.

It’s not just the player who is punished when he is sidelined through suspension, it’s the whole team.

Richmond’s Neville Crowe breaks down after his suspension ruled him out of the 1967 Grand Final.

Mick Malthouse got to enjoy the 1980 premiership win after beating a striking charge.

Believe me when I say it reverberates around the entire club. When it’s an irreplaceable player — as some are — it throws the whole system out.

In 2002 we lost Jason Cloke after he was reported for striking Crow Tyson Edwards in a marking contest in the preliminary final.

It wasn’t deliberate, careless at most, so we appealed it and lost.

He missed the Grand Final. And boy could we have used him.

In his debut season he had become an integral part of our backline.

We (Collingwood) lost to Brisbane by nine points, and I still believe Jason could have made the difference.

He never fully recovered from the devastation of not playing that day.

In a case of frustrating déjà vu we lost Anthony Rocca in similar circumstances the following year.

Anthony was the heart of the team, so it tore at the club’s soul from the moment he was reported for striking Brendon Lade in the preliminary final.

We appealed and Lade was a very viable witness but he was ignored by the tribunal and the appeals board.

I am not bitter and twisted, but Rocca wasn’t guilty.

His absence completely took the wind out of our sails and certainly didn’t help in our heavy defeat to the defending champions, whom he’d always terrorised with his size and ability.

Jason Cloke missed out on the 2002 Grand Final for striking Tyson Edwards in a marking contest.

It’s not just the physical component of a player missing, it’s the psychological side effects that hurt just as much because there is a reliance on the better players.

They take the heat off those around them.

There’s not another Dustin Martin at Richmond, and likewise Buddy Franklin stands alone at Sydney.

With two minor misdemeanours each already this season, a third is an automatic suspension.

So it becomes a balancing act on thin ice for player and club.

As much as the clubs can’t afford for them to be reported again, the players can’t afford to be overly cautious and change their game style.

Franklin plays very aggressive football. The last thing he needs to do is think cautiously because it will detract from his game.

As a 50-plus goal forward he always takes the opposition’s best defender.

Without him, Sydney’s forward line would have to rely on a new method to get the job done.

Martin’s ability to play through the midfield and as a goalkicking forward is irreplaceable at Richmond and would severely dent the Tigers’ chances of advancing through the finals series.

I imagine John Longmire and Damien Hardwick will have their hearts in their mouths each time these players go near the ball in the coming weeks.

As a coach you not only worry about injuries after each game, but you fear losing a player through suspension — especially if it’s through an undisciplined act — because it is demoralising for the team.

We’ve already seen where, I believe, some players have cost their clubs dearly this season.

Anthony Rocca leaves the AFL Tribunal after he was rubbed out of the 2003 Grand Final. Picture: David Crosling

Bernie Vince, Jordan Lewis, Jesse Hogan and Tom Bugg haven’t done Melbourne or the club’s supporters any favours with their reports and sanctions.

Tim Membrey and Jimmy Webster may well have cost the Saints enough victories to make the eight, after being rubbed out by the MRP.

And one of the most damaging forwards in the competition, Toby Greene, has hurt GWS beyond measure with a second suspension for the year.

Given Steve Johnson’s inconsistent form, the Giants need Greene. His lack of discipline is a lack of thought for his teammates and he is in danger of losing their respect.

If you’re assured a place in the finals and your spot is cemented, there is a temptation to rest players.

But with this finals race so even and teams delicately placed even that has become a luxury only few clubs can afford this year.

One thing you can’t plan for though is player suspension. It hits you like a ton of bricks. Let’s hope no one runs into that wall this September.