AFL 2023: All the latest MRO news and fallout from Round 15

Max King and Liam Stocker were both reported in their loss to Brisbane. But how did the MRO see the incidents, including Liam Stocker’s dangerous tackle?

Matchday reports laid by AFL umpires are set to come under scrutiny after Max King and Liam Stocker had their reports thrown out by the match review officer.

Whistleblowers have now got the book out for no reason four times this year after Jarrod Berry (Brisbane Lions) and Izak Rankine (Adelaide) had their matchday reports discarded recently.

While King’s report for striking Ryan Lester looked an error from the moment it was laid, Stocker’s report and ultimate exoneration from MRO Michael Christian only adds to the confusion surrounding the rule.

Stocker pinned one of Eric Hipwood’s arms and took him to the ground on Friday night. But Hipwood’s head did not make contact with the turf and he was fine to take his free kick.

Ultimately that was the factor that saved Stocker.

“It was the view of the MRO that the tackle did not constitute a reportable offence including because no high contact occurred. No further action was taken,” the AFL said.

Lyon shows support for AFL tackle crackdown

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon reiterated his support for the AFL’s crackdown on dangerous tackles as the league attempts to prevent head injuries as much as possible, as well as protect itself from potential litigation in the future.

Saints defender Liam Stocker is the latest player in the gun after being reported for a sling tackle on Brisbane forward Eric Hipwood on the half-time siren during the Lions’ 28-point win over St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

Stocker would seem to be unlucky if he did receive a suspension given Hipwood’s head didn’t hit the ground and he went on to be one of the best players on the ground, kicking four of his team’s 12 goals.

Liam Stocker was reported for this tackle on Brisbane’s Eric Hipwood. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

But Hipwood‘s didn’t hit the ground and the Lions star played on. Picture: Michael Klein.

So will he be suspended? Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

But Lyon said match review officer Michael Christian’s harsh, and seemingly inconsistent, penalties relating to sling tackles are “not going anywhere” and that players were compelled to “adapt” to the new landscape.

“I think the end goal’s the right goal, how we get there it’s going to be a bit messy,” Lyon said post-match with regards to the AFL’s desire to protect the head.

“Inside the black box we’re not always going to get it right.”

St Kilda forward Max King was surprisingly also reported on Friday night for striking despite appearing to make minimal contact with Brisbane defender Ryan Lester’s neck, and Lyon said he would be “surprised” if the star goalkicker was unavailable next week against West Coast.

“Max I wouldn’t have known that (he went in the book unless it was brought to Lyon’s attention by a reporter),” Lyon said.

“I’d be a bit more on edge (if Lyon knew King was reported). It’s easier to replace running backs than key forwards.”

Stocker has been placed on report for this dangerous tackle just before half-time.

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King was placed on report for this incident 🔎

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Incident with Dees star lands All-Australian Cat rare MRO charge

- Jon Ralph

Geelong’s All Australian defender Tom Stewart has been handed a rare fine for contact with an injured player after pushing over Melbourne’s Jack Viney while he was in obvious pain.

Cats star Stewart was at his impassable best in Geelong’s rousing victory over Melbourne as the Cats climbed back into the premiership race at GMHBA Stadium.

But Stewart was on Friday night handed a $1500 misconduct charge for unnecessary and unreasonable contact with an injured player after his altercation with Viney.

Viney grabbed at his right AC joint and was in clear pain after he attempted to tackle Stewart during the first half.

Stewart looked at Viney and assessed his condition and then clearly pushed him to ground as he grabbed at his shoulder.

While the push was not especially forcible, the AFL’s guidelines on contact with an injured player do not reference the degree of force.

Tom Stewart in action on Thursday night. Picture: Michael Klein.

"Not a great look, is it?"

Tom Stewart could be facing a sanction for this incident where he pushed over a sore Jack Viney.

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The match review panel needed to assess whether a normal person would be aware that their opponent was injured or in discomfort and what their subsequent actions were.

There is no provision to suspend a player for that act so Stewart will be able to accept a $1000 fine with a guilty plea.

Melbourne’s Bailey Fritsch was penalised for a dumping tackle on Geelong’s Jake Kolodjashnij but he was not suspended or even fined by the match review panel.

Unlike many of the tackles that have been suspended there did not seem to be excessive force as he took Kolodjashnij to ground.

Fritsch also seemed to ease Kolodjashnij to the ground rather than dump him with increased force.

It was also not apparent how much contact Kolodjashnij’s head made to the turf, so Fritsch is available to take on GWS next week.