Luke Parker should be freed by MRO because you’re allowed to go for the ball, writes Eliza Sewell

WHAT other option did Luke Parker have? ELIZA SEWELL writes the Swan has done nothing wrong and should be freed by the League’s Match Review Officer Michael Christian. HAVE YOUR SAY

THIS is cut and dried. Luke Parker should not go for that.

No way. You’re allowed to go for the ball.

Parker and Hawk Jarman Impey were both attacking the ball, Parker missed it and bumped Impey in the head with his hip.

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The Hawthorn forward left the field with blood streaming from his head but returned and played out the game.

Luke Parker was reported for his bump on Jarman Impey. He tried to explain his action to the umpire after the incident.

Yes Parker overran the ball, but he didn’t mean to. He just failed to pick it up.

He had his eyes on the ball. As did Impey.

There was no time for Parker to pull out of the contest and why would he? He wouldn’t have even thought about doing that. The ball was in dispute.

It was an accident and they happen. Surely Michael Christian will see that.

Jarman Impey on the ground after being bumped in the head by Sydney's Luke Parker. Pic: Michael Klein

Players have a duty of care not to be reckless and Parker wasn’t. He went for the ball.

Throw back to preliminary final day at the MCG last year and Trent Cotchin was a nervous man after he collected Giant Dylan Shiel high in similar circumstances to last night’s episode.

Similar but not the same — it’s open to argue the Richmond skipper was more aware of his opponent and went for him with vigour. Cotchin got off.

The boot was on the other foot for Hawthorn a few weeks ago when Ryan Burton cannoned into Kangaroo Shaun Higgins.

Parker booted the Swans’ go-ahead goal late in the final term.

If Burton can get off for what he did, there’s no way known Parker goes.

Burton looked at Higgins, ran at him, had seconds to decide if he bumps or tackles and chose the former. Higgins was concussed and missed a game. Burton was cleared.

Bump aside, what a player Parker is. He knew he’d been reported but didn’t drop his bundle. The clutch goal he kicked later in that final quarter was crucial to the Swans’ fighting victory. He was brilliant. He had 28 touches and kicked two.

He showed concern for Impey when the Hawk was leaving the field after the bump and then he checked on him again after the final siren.

Parker brushed off the rubbish antics of James Sicily, who gave him a pat on the chest and also a goodbye wave after the Impey bump.

He did well not to snot him. That’s the only thing that could have cost him weeks.

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