Toby Nankervis’ off the ball hit on Jake Lloyd proves why the AFL must act

Calls for the AFL to implement a send-off system reignited on Thursday night with one hit showing why the time has come to act.

The AFL must implement a send off system

The time has come for the AFL to act and install either a sin bin or red card system into the game.

On Thursday night calls for the send-off system were given new life when Richmond’s Toby Nankervis ran through Sydney defender Jake Lloyd.

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Nankervis ran past the footy and collected Lloyd high, sending the Swans star crashing to the turf before he was subbed out of the contest.

With Lloyd out nursing a sore head, Nankervis fuelled the Tigers into action and led them to a come-from-behind victory.

He finished with 18 disposals, 32 hit-outs, six clearances, seven score involvements and a goal. His influence on the game was as vital as any player running around the MCG.

CODE Sports’ Lachlan McKirdy noted post game, Swans coach John Longmire was accepting of the incident but you could sense his frustration.

Although Nankervis will likely miss the next 2-3 weeks through suspension, it matters little to Sydney who sit 14th on the ladder.

Lloyd took no further part in the game. Photo by Michael Klein.

A win on Thursday night would have pushed them into 10th spot, potentially even ninth depending on their percentage.

It’s why the AFL must make a change to the system and implement a send-off system. Sydney were left without one of their most important players while Richmond got off scot-free and Nankervis ran riot.

Throughout the course of the home and away season there are going to be countless instances where player’s are sent off due to head knocks and clashes.

The game at its best is as physical as any professional sporting league the world over.

But ours is the only one where players can take out a star opponent and not face any repercussions until long after the siren has sounded.

There is no magical clear cut answer in this debate, but no longer can the game sit by as teams are left hampered by losing a player from a reckless action.

Nank however proved the difference. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Imagine watching Game 7 of the NBA finals and a player decides to take out LeBron James, but is then allowed to finish off out the game.

Or in the FIFA World Cup final and somebody just runs through Kylian Mbappe, then goes on to play the remaining 90 minutes.

Flaws exist in any system and you’re never going to please everyone, but with the technology the AFL has at its disposal they must do something.

Allowing players to get away with taking out an opponent in the middle of a contest isn’t fair on a number of levels.

Nankervis will face his fate in the coming days, but for the Swans they’re left in an ugly position with their backs against the wall.

Making matters even worse for the Swans is they’ll be without Lloyd for next weekend’s clash against the Western Bulldogs. Meaning the Thursday night loss is even worse now long after Nankervis’ brain fade.