Jon Ralph: AFL’s decision on Jaidyn Stephenson fails pub test
The AFL has bungled the studs-up rule, goalpost shaking and the ‘bald-headed flog’ furore. But its bizarre call on Jaidyn Stephenson could have the biggest impact on this year’s flag race.
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It is the Collingwood heist that could yet deliver the Pies the premiership.
It is a bizarre own goal by the AFL, which utterly fails the pub test and requires weasel words from the league to explain it.
Ten games rather than ten weeks?
It was the miracle Hail Mary attempt from Stephenson himself to ask the AFL that must have had the Pies hierarchy laughing and back-slapping inside the walls of the Holden Centre when they received the reply.
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Even famously gruff football boss Geoff Walsh might have broken out in something resembling a grin.
The league, having already bent on a 22-week suspension, have now handed the Pies a massive free kick.
Make no mistake, Collingwood’s decision to ask was a masterstroke.
Imagine their conundrum had Stephenson been forced to play first-up without a VFL contest.
They go into a potential cut-throat final with Jordan de Goey first up after a six-week hamstring issue and with Darcy Moore second up and with hamstrings no one quite trusts.
Then add in Stephenson, playing for the first time since June 10 and with no real idea if all that match simulation and touch work will come up big in a final.
They would do it, but they sure wouldn’t like it.
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Now they get to play Stephenson on Saturday, give him a week off to avoid the second-week blues that often hit players after a spell, then inject him into a final.
And if they have to play De Goey deep given his lack of match fitness, Stephenson can rove far and wide because of his VFL run.
The league has attempted to explain the decisiion as falling in the cracks between MRO and integrity-based suspensions.
But the No.1 rule of football is you can’t beat City Hall because it makes the rules - sometimes as it goes.
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It is the latest in a series of own goals from the league this year that could so easily have been avoided.
They include the mis-steps over the Dayne Rampe goal-post saga that eventually resulted in a fine and the hard-line “studs-up” rule change now reversed.
It bungled its response to crowd issues in a horror weekend with behavioural awareness officers, McLachlan’s trip to Hawaii and the bald-headed flog furore.
The AFL’s role is as a gatekeeper against corruption, salary cap cheating, thuggish acts and the kind of rorting clubs will always attempt in the chase for premierships.
Too often in recent years it has been damaged by self-inflicted wounds.
Imagine how filthy the Pies week 1 finals opponent will be if Jaidyn Stephenson comes out and kicks six in that final after having a hugely important VFL run even the Pies don’t really believe he was supposed to get by their own words. Utterly ridiculous
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) August 21, 2019
Imagine this scenario.
Brisbane beats Richmond this weekend, Collingwood beats Essendon and Hawthorn beats West Coast.
It would pit Geelong in a second versus third qualifying final with the Cats playing at Collingwood’s home ground and Stephenson playing with a game under his belt.
Imagine the GIFs that would travel around the nation of Chris Scott doing his nut in the coaches box if Stephenson took control of that encounter.
Nathan Buckley must have wondered at times what curse has befallen him with the club’s injury issues and litany of gambling and ASADA-related issues.
But he has caught the break that could just set up his club’s entire September campaign.
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