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There has been widespread disbelief among AFL fans and commentators after West Coast star Willie Rioli’s rough conduct ban was overturned at the AFL tribunal.
Rioli is free to play against North Melbourne and Rory Sloane will take on Collingwood this weekend, Brisbane’s Mitch Robinson will miss the Lions’ match against Essendon.
Rioli was facing a one-game ban for cannoning into Gold Coast young gun Matt Rowell as they contested a mark.
The AFL has decided against appealing the verdict, even though the league does not agree with the decision to clear the West Coast forward.
“The AFL closely monitored the hearing and scrutinised the reasons of the tribunal in this decision,” the league said in a statement. “While the AFL does not agree with the outcome of the hearing, it accepts the decision and confirms it will not appeal.
“Due to the nature of the relevant appeal grounds available to it, the AFL considers that the prospects of a successful appeal in the circumstances are low.
“The AFL considers that bringing an appeal without reasonable prospects of success is not an appropriate course for it to take.”
The AFL added it remains “strongly committed” to reducing head-high contact in the game.
Rioli’s advocate David Grace QC used the example of Nick Riewoldt’s iconic mark in 2004, who fearlessly ran with the flight of the ball and collided with a group of players when he took his mark against Sydney at the SCG.
He said if Riewoldt had not taken the mark and collided with an opposition player, would that have meant the Saints legend was guilty of rough conduct?
The tribunal deliberated for more than 30 minutes before deciding in Rioli’s favour.
The Eagles successfully argued Rioli was going for the mark before bracing for contact at the last moment and he was cleared even though they didn’t convince the tribunal the contact to Rowell was not high.
“Incidents such as this, where the question revolves whether and how the player is contesting the ball, are not easy,” Gleeson said. “This tribunal will be astute to uphold any charge where a player was initially intending to contest the ball, but changed that intention and in doing so, breached his duty of care.
“That is not this case.”
Herald-Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson urged the AFL on Wednesday night to appeal the tribunal’s decision. “I’m staggered by the decision,” Robinson told Fox Footy’s AFL 360.
Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas said he was initially “stunned” Rioli was handed a ban earlier in the week and took to Twitter to say the tribunal had made the right decision.
“Correct result. Sanity prevails. Interesting the vastly differing opinions but that’s why we love the game. It’s just a view that’s all.”
Melbourne’s injury-hit back-line in the AFL clash with Gold Coast.
Lever (foot) and Rivers (knee) were among the flag-winning Demons defenders missing from the season-opener last week, with Michael Hibberd (calf) and Harrison Petty (calf) also out of action.
Christian Salem’s knee injury was a further blow during the win over the Western Bulldogs and will keep him sidelined for at least six weeks.
But reinforcements are coming, with coach Simon Goodwin declaring dashing third-year backman Rivers simply had to get through Wednesday’s training session to be given the green light.
“He’s done a power of work in terms of his rehabilitation,” Goodwin said ahead of Saturday night’s meeting with the Suns at Metricon Stadium.
“He missed the one game of footy and we’re really hopeful that he’ll come back in and perform really strongly for us. We know what he’s capable of and he fits that need for us across the half-back line.”
Essendon’s opening-round thumping has been compounded by confirmation utility Kyle Langford will miss between eight and 10 weeks with a hamstring injury.
Langford suffered the injury when leading for a mark in the first quarter of Saturday’s 66-point loss to Geelong.
The versatile forward/midfielder has become a key player over 99 games but an injury to the same hamstring that saw him miss Essendon’s 2021 finals tilt could potentially require surgery.
“Unfortunately for Kyle, the strain is on the same side as his previous injury and therefore we will take a conservative approach with his rehabilitation,” Essendon football boss Josh Mahoney said.
“Kyle is likely to be sidelined for approximately eight to 10 weeks, but we will consult with a surgeon in the coming week to assess all options for recovery.
“We’re disappointed for Kyle who had completed a strong pre-season but we look forward to welcoming him back to the fold mid-season.”
Meanwhile Essendon said small forward Will Snelling would be sidelined for “a few” weeks with a calf strain suffered in the lead-up to round one.
Harrison Jones is still sidelined but Essendon expect to get much-needed reinforcements in attack against Brisbane on Sunday.
The Bombers should welcome back star forward Jake Stringer, who missed round one but is no longer on the club’s injury list. Aaron Francis (knee) is also in contention after getting through a VFL practice match.
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