Players seek meeting with AFL over excessive bans for punching

FRUSTRATED players are concerned there has been an over-the-top reaction to stop punching and have sought a meeting with the AFL following Jack Redpath’s failed tribunal appeal.

Phil Davis reacts after being struck by Jack Redpath. Picture: Michael Klein

FRUSTRATED players will seek a meeting with the AFL to table concerns on what they call an over-correction to stop punching.

Player representatives put the judiciary on the agenda at a players association board meeting last week.

Their frustration grew on Tuesday night when Western Bulldogs big man Jack Redpath was suspended for three matches after losing an appeal to overturn a two-match ban for striking GWS skipper Phil Davis at the weekend.

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The players are flabbergasted by the suspension and have flagged their intention to seek a change to the appeal system at the end of the season.

Redpath received an extra week for appealing — and losing — against the MRP finding.

Jack Redpath comes face to face with Phil Davis after the incident last Friday night. Picture: Michael Klein

AFLPA boss Paul Marsh told the Herald Sun: “We need to have a conversation because it’s an issue. There’s a view the penalty doesn’t necessarily fit the crime.

“Whether it’s been an over-correction, however you want to put it, we have had a conversation about it.

“We’ve also started a discussion about how difficult it is to appeal a decision.

“In a number of cases, players have felt quite strongly they should appeal.’’

Redpath is the fourth player this season to challenge a suspension — and all have lost

On Tuesday night on Fox Footy’s AFL360, Jordan Lewis, Jack Riewoldt and Bob Murphy indicated the Redpath ­suspension was too harsh.

“It’s really hard and I understand there’s a history that he’s served weeks during the year, so there’s obviously a bad record,” Riewoldt said.

“But three weeks for an open hand strike, as it’s been deemed ... it just doesn’t sit well with me.”

Murphy said: “There’s a big difference between someone throwing a punch and two big key forwards and key backs pushing and shoving.

“Sometimes a hand slips off the shoulder into someone’s neck. There’s a chasm between that and a clenched fist.”

The AFL clamped down on jumper punches earlier in the season and instructed the MRP to be more severe.

Redpath leaves the tribunal after losing his appeal. Picture: Getty Images

Marsh said the players voiced their concerns last week.

“The Redpath issue, he got two weeks which on the surface is more than what it should’ve been, but because of his prior record that’s how they got to the two weeks, and then he appealed and it ends up being three,” Marsh said.

“I don’t think that sits comfortably with anyone.

“We’re combining two issues. Are we going over the top with jumpers?

“(And) the disincentive to appeal because of that extra week is something we need to have a conversation about.”