AFL world reacts as Collingwood star Brayden Maynard gets wiped out
Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard, who has a reputation as an agitator, was on the receiving end of a heavy hit against the Dogs.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The footy world was fiercely divided after renowned agitator Brayden Maynard was on the receiving end of a high shot at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.
In the opening minutes of the huge clash between Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs, Taylor Duryea had already been reported for an elbow towards Nick Daicos when Adam Treloar kicked a ball long out of defence.
Watch every game of every round this Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
As Maynard prepared to take the mark, Bulldogs big man Sam Darcy arrived late and leapt into the air, clattering into the back of the Pies defender with an elbow raised.
Maynard appeared shaken up and the moment sparked a brief melee between the teams before the Pie kicked a goal from a short distance, having been awarded a 50 metre penalty.
The 27-year-old was able to pass a concussion test and continue, while the dissecting of the moment began among footy experts and fans.
“Oh he’s been cleaned up Maynard, Sam Darcy has got him with a big bump,” Matt Granland said in commentary on 3AW radio.
“He’s down and he’s moving, but he was hit real hard Maynard.”
AFL legend Leigh Matthews reacted on 3AW, saying: “It was body to body but it’s certainly still going to hurt and he’ll get a 50 metre penalty and have a shot from about 15 metres out.
“But it was just the late, well it’s more than a spoil, it’s a bump.”
Granland added: “It was a bump. He chose to bump so he’s in big trouble Sam Darcy with that one.”
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd then chipped in, stating: “So (Bombers forward) Peter Wright, he got four weeks didn’t he (for his high shot on Sydney’s Harry Cunningham)? But the player was knocked out.
“It was a poor kick … the ball was sitting above Brayden Maynard.
“What you can’t do, (Darcy) sort of turned to brace in a sense, you can’t do that anymore.”
Matthews then said: “I don’t think it was high though. I think it was just body to body, but that’s still a week or two (suspension) potentially.
“Right at the moment, Sam Darcy will be thinking what the hell did I do that for?
“He was just a step or two late and he bumped him in the back basically, which is sort of illegal in our game and I suspect you get a week for that.”
While the discussion centred around any possible sanction for Darcy, it was quickly noted Maynard is no stranger to the AFL Tribunal himself.
The defender was rubbed out for two matches for a high shot that concussed GWS’ Daniel Lloyd in a practice match two years ago and he was also fined for staging in 2018.
His highest profile incident occurred in September last year when Maynard’s attempted smother knocked out Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw, with the defender escaping sanction.
Fans still reacted strongly to the sight of Maynard on the Marvel Stadium turf on Friday night, with some delighting in the heavy hit.
“Maynard cops a dose of his own meds,” was one comment on X.
“Sam Darcy may have just pulled off one of the greatest individual plays in AFL history,” wrote another.
“The irony of this is priceless,” added a third.
“Maynard got Maynarded,” wrote another.
Others were quick to point out it was a nasty hit from Darcy.
One commented: “Deserved or not, that is a weak effort from the Bulldogs player.”
Another offered: “Enjoy your holiday.”
Another called it a “cheap shot” while a Collingwood fan said simply: “Haters will hate.”
The Pies got off to a fast start, kicking three of the game’s first four goals to jump out to an early lead.
The Bulldogs worked their way into the contest, however, and had pulled to within three points at the main break, trailing 8.8 (56) to 8.5 (53) in a key top-eight battle.
Originally published as AFL world reacts as Collingwood star Brayden Maynard gets wiped out
Tigers hero who ‘brought together football club’ calls time
Damien Hardwick was there for Brandon Ellis’ first game and his last, and has lauded the Tigers’ tenacity and vulnerability as he calls time on his career.
The reason Dusty won’t snare big Gold Coast payday
Gary Ablett Jr was paid stacks of AFL cash to head to the Gold Coast, but there’s a big reason Dusty wouldn’t should he decide to move, while Lance Franklin is considering a return to football.