Jack Higgins suspended for Aliir Aliir tackle that divided AFL world

The Match Review Officer has handed down his ruling over Jack Higgins’ dangerous tackle that left Port defender Aliir Aliir concussed.

Jack Higgins sling tackle concusses Aliir Aliir at Adelaide Oval in R7

Jack Higgins has been handed a three-match ban for his tackle on Aliir Aliir on Friday night that sparked fierce debate among the AFL community.

St Kilda’s Higgins slung Aliir to the Adelaide Oval turf in the second quarter, with the Port Adelaide defender’s head slamming into the ground.

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The action was graded careless conduct, severe impact and high contact by the Match Review Officer, leading to the hefty suspension.

The 25-year-old Higgins will now miss upcoming matches against North Melbourne, Hawthorn and Fremantle, with an early plea not applicable for the charge.

The impact saw Aliir take no further part in the contest as he was subbed out after failing a concussion test.

Dangerous tackles are under an intense spotlight from the league, although this incident divided opinions.

Many believed Higgins was staring down weeks on the sidelines, yet several greats of the game felt Aliir may have contributed to the fallout.

“That’s what they’re trying to bring in to protect,” Luke Hodge said on Channel 7. “He’s forcefully pulled him down.

“If you pin the arm and bring him forcefully to the ground you’re going to be in trouble.”

Jack Higgins’ sling tackle concusses Aliir Aliir at Adelaide Oval in R7.

Hawthorn great Jordan Lewis said if Aliir had held the ball in as the tackle was being laid he would have been able to better protect himself.

“I feel for Higgins,” Lewis said on Fox Footy’s halftime show.

“If Aliir Aliir understands that he’s being tackled and doesn’t then try to kick the ball then there’s probably no case to answer for.

“If you’re looking at what player’s contribute to that, I think it’s 50/50, I think Allir contributes 50% of that force by going to the ground trying to dispose the ball.”

Former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon agreed with Lewis’ outlook on the incident, but AFL legend Nathan Buckley wasn’t having it and said Higgins is at fault.

“It’s a very interesting point, I thought that Higgins would get a week every day, but the fact that he tried to kick the footy means he was more off balance than he perhaps would’ve been,” Lyon said.

Buckley interjected: “I would love that to be the case, but the fact is that the duty of care is slated to the tackler, which means Higgins is responsible for any negative impact of it.

Lyon added: “I understand all that, I just think it’s a little different because the kicking of the ball comes in … it may not mean anything but I do think that the fact that his legs came up to kick the ball adds to the momentum.”

Aliir stayed down for a long time before being helped from the field. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The perplexing incident left footy fans watching on equally as divided as greats of the game.

Commentator Rod Jameson said on ABC: “The problem is, the tackle was good. The art of the tackle, he couldn’t dispose of the football … I think he’ll get a game, but I think he’s got a case to answer.”

Journalist Jake Benoiton wrote: “Not sure what else Jack Higgins can do there. Aliir attempting to kick results in the sling.”

Journalist Ronny Lerner wrote: “Jack Higgins is a great bloke. So he’ll be fine.”

One user wrote: “If the AFL suspends Jack Higgins from that tackle, they are a joke.”

Another added: “Jack Higgins has earnt himself a week or two off.”

Higgins has now learned his fate, with the MRO coming down hard on the incident.

Originally published as Jack Higgins suspended for Aliir Aliir tackle that divided AFL world