Lions star Josh Dunkley ‘worried’ to make tackles because of suspension threat

A leading AFL player fears becoming “hesitant” on the field following the suspension of one of his teammates for making a “perfect tackle”.

Lions star Charlie Cameron (top) has been suspended for three games for this tackle on Eagles defender Liam Duggan. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Lions star Josh Dunkley fears the charging of Brisbane teammate Charlie Cameron for making a “perfect tackle” will lead to further hesitancy among players due to the threat of suspension.

Cameron has been banned for three games by the match review officer for his tackle on West Coast defender Liam Duggan in Brisbane’s 13-point weekend win over the Eagles in Perth.

A concussed Duggan was forced off the field after the back of his head hit the turf in the driving tackle.

The Lions were unsuccessful on Tuesday night in their appeal against Cameron’s charge, which was graded as “careless, severe impact and high contact”.

Dunkley, who was close to the incident when it occurred, said it was a “very harsh penalty”.

“I obviously didn’t know (at the time) the outcome of what happened to Duggan but I thought it was the perfect tackle,” the Brisbane midfielder said.

“The umpire, everyone was saying at the time it was a perfect tackle.

“What do you do? As a player these days, I go into tackles now worried about what the outcome’s going to be.

“You’re very hesitant in what you’re doing, and I feel like that’s going to impact everyone across the competition because guys are going to potentially hold back a little bit and I don’t know if that’s what we want.”

Dunkley said Cameron could not have done “much different” and Duggan’s misfortune was “part of the game”.

Josh Dunkley has become ‘worried’ when making tackles. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“You’re coming forward to put some pressure on, and he (Duggan) gets the ball, and unfortunately he gets concussed in a tackle,” he said.

“As a player we run out there every week knowing well and truly that you can get hurt. You don’t expect anything less.

“You know it’s going to be a very physical game, and that we at any stage can be injured, concussed or whatever it might be.”

Dunkley said the resurgent Lions would “adjust” in the absence of Cameron as they chased a seventh successive win on Sunday in their Gabba showdown against runaway competition leaders Sydney.

“We all know how well they (the Swans) have been playing this year … (but) everyone’s beatable on their day,” he said.

“It’s whoever rocks up with the best mentality (and) the best mindset. Hopefully, that’ll be us on the weekend and we can go one step further.

“We’re excited for the challenge. We know we’ve been playing some really good footy and so have they, so it’s a great challenge for us at home with a packed house.”

Originally published as Lions star Josh Dunkley ‘worried’ to make tackles because of suspension threat