Richmond stars Dylan Grimes and Nick Vlastuin cleared of staging
Dylan Grimes and Nick Vlastuin have been cleared of staging after the duo challenged the financial penalties that were laid down by the match review officer against Essendon.
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Richmond premiership pair Dylan Grimes and Nick Vlastuin have been cleared of staging.
The duo challenged the financial penalties that were laid down by match review officer Michael Christian after last Saturday’s Dreamtime game in Darwin via written submission.
And the AFL tribunal dismissed both charges, relieving the pair of their respective $1250 and $750 fines - which could have been increased to the full rate due to no early guilty plea.
Tribunal member Wayne Henwood – who made the ruling – said that a “prop” from Essendon forward Jake Stringer had contributed to Grimes’ movement.
“(Grimes) held his ground … although both players were moving forward towards the drop of the football,” he said in his finding.
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“Stringer appears to, initially, have both hands on the player’s upper right arm and right shoulder region.
“Stringer then ‘props’ and discontinues his forward motion toward the football and at the same time his left hand can be seen on the players back encouraging the players already forward momentum … (Grimes’) trajectory towards the ball had been altered by the propping and contact made by the Essendon player Stringer to the player’s back.
“It can be seen in the vision that the player’s left foot digs into the turf and a tuft of grass appears indicating the players attempt to stay on course to contest the fall of the football.”
He said that Grimes had raised his arm to spoil the ball from Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and that a “nudge” was afforded to him by Stringer.
Henwood said that Vlastuin had copped contact to the “chest, shoulder and neck region” from Bombers ruckman Tom Bellchambers in what could be described as “a courageous act” of running with the flight of the ball at speed, and unaware of what may be coming.
And the act – which had been alleged to be staging – should instead be viewed as an “instinctive reaction”.
“(Vlastuin) does react to the contact he receives to the chest, shoulder and neck region by throwing his head back in what the player describes as a distinctive reaction to unexpectedly being caught high,” Henwood said.
“The player subsequently falls to his knees.
“In the circumstances were a player in a vulnerable position such as this incident, receives contact to his chest, shoulder and neck area unexpectedly; it would be reasonable to accept that the player would react in a manner as best he can with the time he had to protect himself by throwing his head back in the same direction as the Essendon player Bellchambers hand/wrist to minimise the impact the player perceived at the time could possibly be made to his head.
“The action of the player cannot be described as excessively exaggerated in circumstances where contact was made to a vulnerable part of the player’s body unexpectedly, it could be best described as an instinctive reaction to the circumstances he found himself in.”
“The players dropping to his knees momentarily after contact was made high is indicative of the surprise/shock of the high contact made and relief upon the realisation the player was not physically harmed.”
Richmond coach Damen Hardwick said on Wednesday he was buoyed by the decision to clear Vlastuin and Grimes.
“We’re just pleased with the process we went through,” he said.
“Those guys are very proud men and once again these things happen in football all the time.
“I’m not going to sit here and say I didn’t do it, I certainly staged at various stages as well.
“It’s something that’s prevalent in AFL footy and we’re just happy with the process we went through to get those boys cleared.
“It’s a positive for us.”
Hardwick also praised Grimes for taking a stand against online abuse this week.
A man has been arrested for allegedly making threats against the Richmond premiership star.
Grimes, 29, contacted Victoria Police in the wake of the threats on social media - which he revealed after Saturday night’s Dreamtime win over Essendon – and a 39-year-old Frankston man was arrested and bailed on Monday.
“We’re incredibly proud of Dylan and there’s just no place for it,” Hardwick said.
“It’s really disappointing that people do this.
“It’s in front of the courts now so we’ll leave it at that, but I couldn’t be prouder of Dylan and the AFL community for standing up to those online trolls.
“Life’s tough at the moment and we don’t need people putting us down even further.”
Grimes had been charged with the offence for a second time after he was sanctioned in last year’s qualifying final.
Demon Ed Langdon and Crow Lachlan Murphy weren’t so lucky, with their $1500 fines for rough conduct upheld by the tribunal.
Grimes reveals death threats amid ‘flop’ criticism
— Lauren Wood and Jordan McArdle
Richmond premiership star Dylan Grimes has revealed a raft of “death threats” and suggestions of “suicide” in the wake of a controversial free kick on Saturday night.
It comes as yet another act of disgusting racial abuse has occurred overnight, this time to Fremantle youngster Michael Frederick.
Just weeks after Giants star Callan Ward opened up about the threats he received from Essendon fans, Bombers fans and others have flooded Grimes’ Instagram private message inbox with graphic images and abuse.
The abuse comes as Grimes was accused of a “borderline flop” by four-time Hawthorn premiership player Jordan Lewis after he won a free kick for a push in the back.
“I apologise in advance for the swearing but this is ridiculous,” Grimes wrote.
“Death threats and suicide suggestions. Come on. Reminding the Essendon fans that inboxed me that this is a game we play for fun.”
Abuse directed at Grimes included messages such as “you’re so sad ... you need to make a public apology”, “f---ing dumb C--- you and your whole team” and references to his wife, Elisha.
“The Australian diving team wants you for Tokyo 2021,” one person wrote.
“I reckon you’d be a good chance.”
Umpires paid a push in the back against Tippa. Do you agree with the decision? pic.twitter.com/hI7Bl6iv4h
— 7AFL (@7AFL) August 22, 2020
Teammate Nick Vlastuin – who received a 50m penalty that resulted in a crucial goal in the final term – also shared abuse he had received.
“Few nice messages after the game ... good for the mental health,” he wrote alongside screenshots.
Richmond vehemently condemned the threats of violence towards its players are their families.
“Threats of violence directed towards our players and their families on social media are completely unacceptable,” Richmond said in a statement.
“No player from any club should be subject to such vile attacks.
“Online abuse has no place in our game, or our society.”
In the second quarter, speedy Essendon forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti celebrated a goal before a free kick was awarded to Grimes after a push from returning Bomber Jake Stringer.
And it might be a moment Grimes would want to have again, according to former Hawk Lewis, who said all players should be judged equally.
“It’s a borderline flop,” Lewis said on Fox Footy.
“I think if we’re going to be hard on forwards that play for free kicks, I think the same needs to be said for defenders who are trying to draw a free kick.
“For him to dive forward at least another couple of metres, after getting body contact, I think he’d like to have that moment again.”
Grimes was famously fined $1000 for staging for a free kick in last year’s semi-final against Brisbane.
Make sure you check old mate for whiplash @Richmond_FC #AFLDonsTigers pic.twitter.com/fltctfruBd
— Mark Haywood (@hayw0od) August 22, 2020
Meanwhile, first-year Dockers speedster Frederick – who is of South Sudanese heritage – was labelled a “slave” and another highly-offensive racial slur in a direct message on Instagram.
The message was sent during Fremantle’s big win over Sydney at Optus Stadium on Saturday night, with the 20-year-old calling it out by reposting it with the text ‘SMH’ (shake my head).
It comes in the midst of the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round, which celebrates the league’s Indigenous players and aims to encourage footy fans to accept all cultures.
Several of Frederick’s teammates, including Caleb Serong and Sean Darcy, have slammed the behaviour.
“Seriously?” Serong posted on Instagram with a screenshot of the message.
“Disgusting!!!” Darcy wrote.
“Just another man trying to bring one of our brothers down, love yah (sic) lord,” outgoing Fremantle forward Cam McCarthy wrote with several heart emojis.
AFL Players’ Association chief executive Paul Marsh labelled the message as “sickening” and “disgraceful”.
“And yet another disgraceful example from overnight. Sickening. Who could possibly think this is acceptable??” Marsh tweeted.
Fremantle and the AFL have been contacted for comment.
Frederick had arguably his best performance at AFL level in last night’s win over Sydney, gathering nine disposals and kicking an impressive long-range goal.
The 20-year-old has already been a fan favourite among the Freo faithful after getting drafted out of the SANFL with pick 61 in last year’s national draft.
He made his debut in the round seven western derby at Optus Stadium and has made six AFL appearances, booting three goals.
Former Bomber and Saint Brendon Goddard said after Vlastuin was awarded the penalty — which resulted in a goal to seal the game — that the “umpires had bought” the move.
“I know Essendon are lucky to be this close, but they’re two huge moments,” he said on ABC Grandstand.
“I don’t care which team they play for, where players who play up for free kicks and the umpire has bought what they’re selling.”
AFL Players’ Association boss Paul Marsh - a vocal critic of social media abuse - said “it has to stop”.
“We love the passion fans have for the game, but a serious line is crossed when aggressive messages are sent to players,” he said.
“There’s no excuse to threaten or abuse someone.
“This is happening every week and it has to stop.”
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