Another bump. Another concussion. Another debate.
But there really is no debate. It’s a stone-wall multiple-week suspension.
It’s clear. It’s plain. Contact to the head is not allowed. Players must exercise a duty of care towards their opponents.
The Giants’ Sam Reid exercised a total lack of care for his opponent. He actively failed to make any attempt whatsoever to avoid contact with Nat Fyfe, who was nowhere near the ball, but rather kept moving towards Fyfe and tensed up and engaged in a bump that struck Nat Fyfe in the head.
Granted, it wasn’t like Patrick Dangerfield’s bump where Dangerfield was smarting from being run down seconds earlier and went full bore at the player, but it was a solid hit that was, again, completely and utterly unnecessary.
Some commentators argue that Reid was bracing for contact. Of course he knew it was coming – he initiated it!
Others argue for Nat Fyfe’s rights in the situation. Fyfe was defence-less and got taken out by a player who had chosen to make contact.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
There is no excuse for Reid’s action and no legitimate foundation for his defence. Reid had plenty of time to step sideways to avoid making contact with Fyfe. He failed to do so.
He actively chose to hold his line, firm up his body and bump Fyfe. The fact that he wasn’t looking at Fyfe makes absolutely no difference.
He knew Fyfe was coming, he let him come, he kept going himself without altering his line, he got ready for the collision and he took Fyfe out.
That’s not a duty of care being exercised. That’s no care whatsoever.
Any argument about protecting himself is utterly groundless as well, as Dangerfield’s was, because he – like Dangerfield – went out of his way to make the contact. If you don’t go at another defenceless player, you don’t need to protect yourself.
The rules are simple. You cannot make contact with the head. Reid should have evaded Fyfe and avoided the contact.
There was zero need for contact and zero need to put Fyfe at risk. Anything less than a multiple-week suspension will throw the whole contact-to-the-head issue right back up in the air.
Kick to kick
Guest
From what I’ve seen of commentary the only real debate is why Sam Reid didn’t get sent straight to the tribunal like Dangerfield. AFL great Tim Watson says “When will we take this seriously? I could argue what Reid did was more an act of footy violence than Patrick Dangerfield. He deserved a greater penalty than Patrick Dangerfield. “Fyfe was completely passive. He was not expecting contact at that time. “It knocked him off his feet, he was out to it. It was a sickening sight.” Have to agree.
Dibbs
Roar Rookie
Troll.
Mooty
Roar Rookie
Are we now going to get to the situation where stationary players jump out of the way of oncoming players to avoid clashes. What happened to the rule of banning ducking the head, that seems to have gone by the way
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You might like to look at the date on your replay. We are talking about yesterday's game.
Trevor
Guest
This is correct. There is just as much argument that Fyfe should be the one suspended. Reid had a player pushing him in the back, he was standing stock still when Fyfe hurtled straight into him. He can't just vanish down a sprinkler hole. He is hardly liable for someone running headlong into him in that situation. Just bad luck that Fyfe knocked himself out. As the one responsible for concussing someone, even though it was himself, Fyfe should miss a couple.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Yep, he knocked a player out, has to get 2 weeks minimum.
Maurice
Guest
Fythe was suspended for something very similar a few years ago as was Sandilands when someone ran into his elbow . It’s all about the head 2 weeks.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Yeah look, I don't think there was any level of malicious intent, but regardless it'll be a couple of weeks, i'd go 2 as I think it was careless rather than intentional but it was high impact and resulted in a concussion.
O M
Roar Rookie
No case to answer. This is a perfect case of an unavoidable collision as Reid was there first and was only protecting himself from a possible shirtfront. Unfortunate for Fyfe but these sort of things will happen from time to time. Reid will not be sanctioned which will silence some the hysterical objectors to Dangerfield's penalty last week. The bump is not dead, you just can't weaponize it anymore!!
Prez
Roar Rookie
Was Reid meant to turn his body around and expose his front which would put him in a very dangerous position. And in terms of holding his position, why wouldn't he. By your logic Reid should have given way to a player arriving after him?
Rob Moyle
Guest
I think as he was stationary when Fyfe ran into him he's entitled to hold his ground. He was being the immovable object. Not bringing energy and making a bump. That's why it's different to the Dangerfield incident. You can't go too far down the road of any head contact is illegal. Victims of head butting will get weeks. Only a Sith deals in absolutes.