Ex-players slam Nic Naitanui’s one-match ban for rough conduct

WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson was left puzzled by star ruckman Nic Naitanui’s suspension for a dangerous tackle as ex-players slammed the decision. HAVE YOUR SAY

WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson was left puzzled by match review officer Michael Christian’s decision to suspend star ruckman Nic Naitanui for a dangerous tackle on Port Adelaide’s Karl Amon.

The Eagles have this morning confirmed they will fight the ban at the AFL tribunal tonight. The club’s lawyers spent the night looking through the vision and preparing a case. “It’s a bit of a head scratcher for me, personally,” Simpson said. TOUGH SPOT: SUNS TEAMMATES EAGER FOR LYNCH DECISION THE TACKLE: ROBBO’S LIKES AND DISLIKES FROM ROUND 7 RAGE TRADES: SUPERCOACH STARS YOU NEED TO TRADE IN The Naitanui report was met with a public outcry defending the superstar. Former players on Monday night leapt to the defence of the gun ruckman who was suspended for one match for driving the head of Port Adelaide’s Karl Amon into the turf in the big win over Port Adelaide in Perth on Sunday. It has re-ignited debate around acceptable tackling technique only two weeks after Hawk Ryan Burton was controversially cleared for his shirt-front which concussed Kangaroos’ star Shaun Higgins. West Coast was on Monday night considering contesting the Naitanui charge at the tribunal where Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins will also face claims he made intentional contact with umpire Dean Margetts on Friday night The Port Adelaide medical report confirmed Amon suffered delayed concussion in the Naitanui tackle. Melbourne goal kicker Jesse Hogan was cleared of staging after copping a blow to the throat from Saint Jake Carlisle on Sunday. Former Hawthorn and Gold Coast hard man Campbell Brown said the Naitanui suspension was “an absolute joke”. “Can someone explain to me how the hell Nic Naitanui has been suspended for a week, for that tackle?” Brown said. “Eagles must appeal.” Ex-Carlton great Brendan Fevola tweeted about the incident “AFL football is cooked”. Amon had taken possession close to the boundary line when the 200cm Naitanui tackled him from behind and drove the Port forward head-first into the ground. Match review officer Michael Christian said Naitanui should have taken more care by rotating Amon to the side. “Instead of driving him forward and driving his head into the ground, he could have tried to roll off and mitigate some of that force,” Christian said. The Herald Sun understands Naitanui had laid several heavy tackles which had caught the match review officer’s attention this season. The incident was assessed as careless, medium impact and high contact. Christian said Naitanui had pinned Amon’s arms, leaving the Port Adelaide playmaker in a vulnerable position. “One of the factors (of a dangerous tackle) is that if you drive a player into the ground with excessive force while their arms are pinned,” Christian said. “And I think we came to the conclusion pretty strongly it was a drive with arms pinned with excessive force. “It clearly fitted into the guidelines around dangerous tackle.” But former West Coast and Hawthorn defender Xavier Ellis said the penalty was too harsh. Naitanui was banned for Saturday’s match against Greater Western Sydney. “Nic Nat a victim of the 2018 rule called ‘too strong, too aggressive’,” Ellis said on Twitter. Former umpires’ boss Peter Schwab said Naitanui could get off. “I think they’ll challenge that. Sorry for Amon but couldn’t see the recklessness,” Schwab said. Former tribunal member Daniel Harford also said a challenge was on the cards. “I would be clearing my Tuesday night if I was West Coast,” Harford said. Adelaide premiership coach and North Melbourne great Malcolm Blight said it deserved a suspension. “Absolutely (it’s a week). I hate it. I absolutely hate it,” Blight said on Adelaide radio. “How would you like it if you’re on the end of that tackle? How would you like visiting someone in a neck brace in hospital?” Hawkins brushed aside the arm of Margetts in an awkward exchange in the Cats’ 61-point win over Greater Western Sydney on Friday night. The league last month warned clubs over email it was closely monitoring careless contact between players and umpires in an apparent crackdown on the matter. Christian spoke to Margetts about the contact from Hawkins and said the league viewed intentional contact between players and umpires “very seriously”. “Looking at the vision umpire Margetts comes running in and Tom extended his hand, and in our view, intentionally touched umpire Margetts,” Christian said. Perfect 9 promo 650x90 “And the guidelines are clear around that. “If you intentionally touch an umpire you are automatically sent to the tribunal. “Geelong get the opportunity to defend their situation and Tom Hawkins tomorrow night in front if an independent tribunal.” Margetts is heard saying “don’t touch me” after Hawkins brushed away the official’s arm. The Geelong premiership forward is in danger of being suspended for Sunday’s clash against Collingwood at the MCG. LIVE stream every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Get your free 2-week Foxtel Now trial & start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW