Sydney’s Luke Parker has escaped with a fine after AFL match review officer Michael Christian’s assessment of his bump on GWS defender Matt Buntine.
Parker left the ground and made contact with Buntine’s head during the Swans’ win over GWS at Spotless Stadium.
But he’s free to play in Saturday’s blockbuster against Hawthorn after being fined $2000 for rough conduct that was deemed careless conduct with low impact to the head.
The star midfielder was also fined for making contact with an umpire during that game.
No players were offered bans after Christian’s review of round 22, with Melbourne’s Aaron Vandenberg also breathing a sigh of relief after he was fined for his elbow to the head of West Coast forward Willie Rioli.
The 26-year-old was slapped with a $2000 fine and can count himself lucky his swinging elbow didn’t make more forceful contact with Rioli’s face.
Vandenberg, playing just his third AFL match after missing last season with a foot injury, faced an anxious wait following the incident but he’s free to play against GWS in round 23.
In all, 16 fines were handed out following Christian’s review.
Eagles forward Jack Darling was knocked unconscious in a tackle and Adelaide youngster Tom Doedee broke a collarbone in a bump, but Christian found Oscar McDonald and Jed Anderson, respectively, had no case to answer.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
It's a shame Parker didn't miss a match for breaking Kennedy's shin with a kick.You can't trip or slide tackle but you can knee or kick your opponent in a contest with impunity. What's also weird is that if you take out your own player carelessly,there's never a case to answer. There've been a few hits to the head in clashes this year between teammates that have meant blood or concussion,where they've both been contesting but never a fine.Why is that? After all if the head is sacrosanct then any and all collisions should be scrutinised.