What an absolute shock that there will be no sanction on Sydney’s Sam Wicks for wearing metal-studded boots and seriously injuring Collingwood young gun Isaac Quaynor.
I just wonder what the penalty would’ve been had it been Quaynor in the metal boots and Wicks who was injured.
I’m sure there would’ve been sanctions. Journalists would’ve clamoured for them. The likes of Mark Robinson and Caroline Wilson would’ve used their various platforms to implore that the league impose strict penalties to ensure that this would never, ever happen again.
Nope. Nothing (as of yet) from them. Tom Browne has dismissed the injury on Twitter as “spilt milk”.
This is how the AFL and its satellites operate.
Jaidyn Stephenson self-reports when he lays a multi. It’s proven he doesn’t try to make the outcomes happen. And yet he’s whacked with a ten-week suspension.
A kid self-reported on a stupid little multi in an organisation built on the betting dollar, and whose ads inculcate us repeatedly during games with the relentlessness of the brainwashing in A Clockwork Orange.
And this isn’t to excuse Stephenson. But, hey, here’s the lesson next time you make an error that, in all likelihood, will go otherwise unnoticed and slip into oblivion: let it ride.
Steele Sidebottom is caught in his underwear violating the COVID regulations. He’s hit with a four-week suspension.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and assistant couch Brenton Sanderson also breach the COVID regulations by ducking out for a spot of tennis. They’re fined $50,000.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Essendon’s Connor McKenna tests positive for COVID. He’s found to have breached the AFL’s living arrangement requirements as he visited his former host family. The upcoming Essendon versus Melbourne game is postponed. McKenna later tests negative, but he’s still in violation with the original breach.
His punishment?
Well, nothing.
The Essendon Football Club perpetrate the biggest doping scandal in the history of team sports anywhere in the world, and the AFL’s response?
Again, nothing.
Yet the AFL had no problem whacking Collingwood’s Josh Thomas and Lachlan Keeffe with two-year suspensions when they failed substance tests.
As far as Essendon goes, WADA has to step in and impose the penalty. Essendon players are suspended for two years (well, really one), and the Bombers have to play with top-ups for the 2016 season. They finish last.
No problem. Here, despite being punished, you can have the number one draft pick. And, no, the circumstances of 2016 are not equivalent to a club suffering lots of injuries and seeing their fortunes plummet – Essendon are punished for wrongdoing. Injuries are misfortune. Misfortune and wrongdoing are not the same thing.
When Collingwood traded for Adam Treloar from GWS, there was an uproar about whether Collingwood – at that time a struggling club – had courted Treloar outside the trade period, and there are calls for an investigation. When Richmond – a recent premier and league powerhouse – do the same with Tom Lynch, nobody utters a whimper.
And now Wicks with his metal incisors slits open the shin of a kid and it’s all, hey, well, okay, it’s unfortunate, but it behoves the clubs to ensure that their players wear the right stops because accidents happen.
That’ll be a comfort to Nathan Buckley and Collingwood, who lose Quaynor for an indefinite period.
And I’m sure it’s consolation to Quaynor, who was trying to lock down a place in the side and now faces a lengthy and painful convalescence that involve stitches, antibiotics, restriction on what he can do, and an uncertain outcome on how exactly such an injury will heal.
To the AFL and its minions: you go hard when you want to – if Collingwood’s involved, it’s guaranteed.
But when it’s somebody else?
The rationalisations are astonishing.
Kane
Roar Rookie
Port players got suspended, and rightly so and it was the same weekend that Buckley organised a hit of tennis with people outside the bubble but got away with it. Rules for some and rules for others.
Jimmy
Guest
If you get to the ball first you get the free kick. It’s not hard to understand Einstein. But if it helps you sleep then sure it’s all a conspiracy
Jimmy
Guest
All I heard was player broke a rule, someone got injured, no penalty. The polar opposite of how AFL treats everything else. Angela, not sure one of the biggest sooks on this site should be calling other ppl “diddums”, hey buttercup?
Jimmy
Guest
What about the 2 Port players then? Sidebottom’s was in the moment and immediately self reported. The Port players organise a gathering so it’s a premeditated and deliberate rule breach and then kept it hidden for two weeks played two games and travelled interstate. Much much worse than Sidebottom, much more devious, after Sidebottoms too So fits your criteria - much lower penalty. Les is 100% right
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
Do you honestly think other in the AFL think they can go for a game of tennis now??
mdso
Roar Rookie
Speaking of Connor McKenna. Leaving bits out changes context. He arrived back in Australia, had a test and it was negative. He had a running nose etc. had a test and it was inconclusive and self isolated. Then had a test two days later it was positive and so he self isolated. Other media beat ups, the club knew about there were no secrets. I know you have to get your click bait happening that's how make your living but please try to keep to the facts it helps everyone.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Mate I think you need to look at the free kick disparity the pies have. I’m willing to attribute part of that to them simply being good but take the Anzac Day match of 2019 of the bombers Collingwood game this year.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Kochies a legend mate, im a bombers supporter and I wish our president was as outspoken as kochie.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
The ones that can read at least
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
With all of these controversies around Collingwood perhaps they should go on a camp? I think I know someone they can talk to. :laughing:
Mooty
Roar Rookie
You’re the one who needs to think about your bias
Jaydee
Guest
And there’s your bias
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
The articles about Collingwood
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
Your name is "Really". Really??? Give me strength.
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
That's a good point. But its also obvious with plenty of other authors (and people commenting), so not sure why that is an issue.
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
So your "Buffoon as a president" doesn't count??
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
We have some idea.......
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
Really?? You think others will be going for a hit of tennis thinking its ok? You need to rethink your bias.
me too
Roar Rookie
so my earlier comment about all the incidents in which the media censor reporting on collingwood issues is censored?
D9
Roar Rookie
You said article, when I think you meant reply. And if you're going to talk to yourself, act on your own advice.