Kysaiah Pickett bump on Darcy Moore leaves Pie skipper concussed

Prior to lightning halting play at the MCG, the AFL’s latest head-high shot divided opinion and highlighted a major issue in footy.

A fresh high shot left Collingwood skipper Darcy Moore concussed in Friday night’s 46-point win over the Demons and divided the AFL world before the Melbourne weather intervened.

The Pies were on the way to victory when lightning forced players from the ground with just 9:31 left on the clock in the final term.

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After a long delay, Collingwood returned to play out a comfortable 15.13 (103) to 8.9 (57) triumph as both sides bowed out in 2024.

Prior to the weather intervention, Kysaiah Pickett ensured he would draw the scrutiny of the Match Review Officer (MRO) after his unsuccessful bump attempt on the Collingwood captain.

Late in the second quarter, Pickett and Moore were side-by-side chasing a loose ball when the Demon opted to bump the Magpie captain, as you can see in the video player above.

Kysaiah Pickett makes heavy contact with Darcy Moore. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

At virtually the same time Pickett made that decision, Moore dropped his body in an effort to grab the footy, leading to a heavy clash that snapped Moore’s head to one side and left him flat out on the turf.

Brayden Maynard, filling his typical role, quickly remonstrated with Pickett and Fox Footy reporter Jon Ralph said it would be reviewed by the MRO at the very least.

While areas such as intent and accidental contact can be part of a review, any injury suffered by a player is usually at the top of that list, and Moore had to be subbed out of the game shortly after the collision with concussion.

“I think the AFL will clearly take a look at it,” Ralph said.

“(Pickett) would hope to be on Mad Monday or Tuesday rather than defending an MRO charge at the Tribunal.

“He clearly bumps and makes head-high contact with Darcy Moore. I think the question is how much leeway he gets because Moore goes to ground quite late.

“In slo-mo, you think gee he could do something about it. But in real time, I think he goes to ground really quickly and without notice.

“I wonder whether that saves him.”

Another angle of the collision. Photo: Michael Klein

It seems barely a week has gone by this season without an incident arising that could either be cleared or lead to a suspension from the AFL Tribunal.

AFL.com.au reporter Damian Barrett referenced the situation in a column this week when umpires reaffirmed a bump from Port’s Dan Houston on Izak Rankine didn’t merit a free kick on the ground, but led to a five-week suspension off it.

“Once again,” Barrett concluded, “this system needs to be blown up.”

Houston, Isaac Heeney and Harley Reid are among the players defended all the way to the Appeals Board by the Power, Swans and Eagles respectively this season, before all three had their suspensions upheld.

Pickett’s record won’t help his cause, as the combative Demon was suspended three times over a 27-game stretch from the start of 2023 through round four this season, all involving high shots.

Yet Fox Footy panel members Jordan Lewis, Nathan Buckley and Jonathan Brown all felt Pickett would escape any punishment this time around, although fans were left deeply divided.

The wild variety of responses from fans comes as no surprise considering the multitude of judgments from the MRO this season.

“Moore didn’t keep his feet. Move on,” was one simple assessment on X.

Brayden Maynard adopts his standard role. Photo: Michael Klein

“Lol @RalphyHeraldSun you are delusional… He chose to bump.. hit him high, concussed him.. but hey, blame the bloke playing the ball!!” wrote another.

“Players must now predict when an opponent might duck or slide late into a contest?” queried another.

“Launches himself to his right to go for the bump. An easy 5+ weeks for intentional,” decided another.

A fifth suggested simply: “Don’t duck next time.”

During the weather delay, the Fox Footy channel had another crack at debating any possible suspension for Pickett.

Pickett and retiring AFL umpire Ray Chamberlain discuss the incident. Photo: Michael Klein

“Say (Pickett) gets suspended, that’s then a suspendable action, then why aren’t all those actions that are similar, even if the player doesn’t get concussed, getting the same penalty,” Brown asked.

“Because there are instances where the other player contributes to what has taken place,” Lyon replied.

It all sounds as clear as the mud deepening across the sodden MCG.

Neither of these sides will play finals football and Pickett will be hoping he doesn’t have another footy task to worry about now the Demons’ disappointing campaign has officially come to an end.

The weather intervention was the last thing anyone associated with the game wanted, with fans booing as the players returned to the changerooms, before the match finally finished nearing 11pm AEST.