Caretaker coach Andrew McQualter says he will look into an incident in which Maurice Rioli refused to take a phone call from the coaching staff during Richmond’s 38-point win over West Coast.
Rioli was grumpily slumped on the bench after being subbed off in the last quarter when a Richmond staff member attempted to hand him the phone that has a direct line to the coaching box.
When Rioli didn’t react, another staff member seated on the other side of him tapped him on the shoulder to make sure he knew the phone was being handed to him.
Rioli, who tallied just six disposals for the match, continued to glare straight ahead in frustration before snubbing the phone with a wave of his hand.
McQualter wasn’t the coach on the phone at the time, and said he didn’t want to comment too much on the incident before looking into it.
“The reality is I’ve been subbed off before and it’s not a nice feeling,” McQualter said.
“I understand – young kid, he’s trying to make his way. I understand if he was disappointed. So he’ll be ok.
“I’m not exactly sure how it played out at that time. So whatever happened, we’ll deal with it when we need to.
“I’ll probably just wait until I understand the situation fully before I comment on it any further.”
The Tigers set up the 14.14 (98) to 8.12 (60) win on Sunday with a six-goal blitz spread either side of half-time.
Although 11th-placed Richmond (8-1-8) failed to give their percentage a huge boost, they are now just half a win adrift of the sixth-placed St Kilda, seventh-placed Western Bulldogs, and eighth-placed Essendon.
Shai Bolton finished with 2.4 from 23 disposals against West Coast, while veteran Dustin Martin tallied 23 possessions, four clearances and 2.2 in a lively display.
Martin could be in trouble for an off-the-ball elbow to the midriff of Eagles defender Alex Witherden, but the incident is more likely to attract a fine rather than suspension.
“We don’t want any of those actions to cost us off the ball, because ultimately it hurts the team,” McQualter said.
“I’m not sure there’s anything too much further in it, is there? So hopefully it doesn’t happen again.”
West Coast veteran Andrew Gaff came on as the sub in the first quarter when Reuben Ginbey succumbed to a hamstring injury.
Gaff, who tallied just six disposals against Brisbane last week, finished with 24 possessions in a much improved display.
Forward Oscar Allen kicked three goals after overcoming a wrist injury scare in the second quarter.
Eagles forward Jack Darling kicked his 500th career goal late in the third term, sparking a huge cheer among the 40,501 fans in attendance.
“He probably goes down as one of our greats … and he’s still got some footy left in him,” Eagles coach Adam Simpson said of Darling, who finished with 1.3 and seven marks from 16 disposals.
Carlton’s Jordan Boyd is facing a ban of at least three matches after being sent directly to the AFL Tribunal for his dump tackle on Port Adelaide’s Darcy Byrne-Jones.
And Adelaide forward Josh Rachele has been slapped with a two-match ban for striking GWS forward Jack Buckley.
Boyd pinned the arms of Byrne-Jones and drove him into the turf after the Port defender had dribbled a kick forward.
Byrne-Jones was subbed out of the game with concussion.
The AFL’s match review officer classified the incident as careless conduct, severe impact and high contact, with the AFL Tribunal to decide Boyd’s fate on Tuesday night.
Rachele’s hit to the face of Buckley was graded as intentional conduct, medium impact and high contact, drawing a two-match ban.
It means he’ll miss key games against Melbourne and Port Adelaide unless he successfully challenges the ban.
Rachele was also fined $1500 for a wrestling incident, as was Giants utility Harry Perryman.
And the pain to the hip pocket didn’t stop there for Rachele, who also received a $1500 fine for a misconduct incident against Connor Idun.
Rachele’s eventful night has since been slammed around the AFL world, with former great Matthew Lloyd urging the young Crow to ‘pull his head in’ on the Sunday Footy Show.
However, after the match, Crows coach Matthew Nicks came to his defece.
“Josh is such a competitor that he’s frustrated that there are things that aren’t necessarily going his way,” Nicks told reporters.
“We had a brief chat. He gathered himself quite well at halftime. He could look me in the eye and say, ‘look, I’m good, I’m ready to go’.
“The team was going well at that point, so he’s now got to knuckle down and enjoy that part of it, that the team’s playing well, it might be that it’s not necessarily going well for him.”
Essendon captain Zach Merrett was fined $1500 for staging for a free kick, but can accept a $1000 fine with an early plea.
Richmond’s Dustin Martin could be in trouble for an off-the-ball elbow to the midriff of West Coast’s Alex Witherden.
Sydney have also announced they will challenge co-captain Dane Rampe’s two match ban for a bump on Bulldog Lachie McNeil that resulted in a post-match failed concussion test.
Dusty does Danger
Roar Rookie
Coultard, I’m hearing good things about him. He could be a half forward as well but shorter than Rioli Jnr and probably needs more time in the system. At the moment we do need 1 tall key forward.
Dusty does Danger
Roar Rookie
Good to get some dialogue rather than a purple rant! I was a bit tongue in cheek with George but he probably would be getting a game at the moment. - CCJ, cant get a game for the Roos, didn’t lose anything - Chol too hot and cold that’s why he’s in the VFL. - Butler and Higgins, timing and salary cap at the time. We picked up 2 Premierships when they left. You nailed it with Clarke, kid looks good with the ball just needs more of it. He’s worth persisting. - Gibcus is our Jack replacement, kid can jump, has great hands and has height. - Mansell I like, hard at the ball and disposal efficiency is good. - Bauer is the other young forward, bad luck with injury but is 192cm. So we have 3 injured forwards. Gibcus and Bauer are the kids to help Lynch next season. Then we have Clarke, Mansell and Dusty. Cumberland I’m not sure about. Pickett has been used as spare parts. Rioli Jnr probably needs to play midfield in the seconds to learn to win the ball.
RT
Roar Rookie
They can, wouldn't bother me. I would like them to deal with whatever lead up to it, if anything.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
So, why not start now that it is so prominent in the public conversation? It was such an obvious case for strong discipline. Dusty applied no self-discipline so the AFL should just step up by stepping in.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
what about Coulthard? we midseasoned when we prob should have gone tall? is he doing anything?
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
yes i would prefer no system if this is the system and the results it produces.
Ando7369
Roar Rookie
No don probably no need for it,but I’m not one too complain other players,actually Toby Greene my favorite player in the afl,great footballer,but not much in Martin elbow,as for nankeveis I can put that down thuggery
RT
Roar Rookie
They have had years to do something about it. Dean Cox wouldn't have been knocked out by Vickery in 2014 if they paid frees that were there or if the umpire at least paid a free instead of just telling Cox "no".
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
The argument about the MRO's criteria is always the wrong argument. The moment the AFL takes anything from rugby, it's wrong by definition. It must be only a case by case basis on merit...informed by precedent at times. Some decisions will provoke subjective debate but it will be way fairer than the limitations of this system.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
i am all for changing the criteria. i have Macca elsewhere and am trying to empower a Roar for the People's Draft to petition the "powers"
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You actually think that was OK? If it was Toby Greene or Tom Stewart or Andrew Gaff, you'd be going off the deep end. It's you that's blinded by club colours. How can anybody condone that act?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Just change the criteria mid season. It's done all the time. If that's not rubbed out, it continues. Cotchin has been doing that 5 times a game ever since he lost his ability to compete at AFL level. Dusty is now following suit.
Ando7369
Roar Rookie
Yes don we know anything Richmond u want argue about all good,seems we both have different opinion,but all good.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
i agree. but the MRO has to apply the ridiculous criteria, that is not serving anyone. intentional not in dispute. there has to be sufficient force for a strike to be a strike. which means that low is some impact. by definition. then there's medium before you even to get to high, let alone severe in support of "low", i think he did take the free kick? i agree it makes no sense. especially with no description. see elsewhere, the idea that all concussions are severe, ok, but you can also be severe if it could have caused serious injury (which applies to almost anything). if people want to say - "this should have been graded "severe" as he wasn't looking and could have broken a jaw", well, i don't really object. as long as we accept the precedent and consequence. probably Christian should have said "it's medium impact, he falls to his knees". that would be one match. of course there's then a "what's low if that's medium" etc riposte. definitely the blind elbow chucked back is a very dangerous beast and should be eradicated. i also think the escalating fines for repeat offences needs looking at. essentially you could do this same thing 3 times and the last one would be $5k fine. even if you don't agree with an initial suspension, an unlimited amount of licence to do the same thing -just wrongheaded outcome: nobody supports the Guidelines. they need to be replaced, or we don't have one. -- a differnet approach - there are a number of offences that automatically go to tribunal (see below). maybe in this day and age - add chucking an elbow, and throwing a punch. no matter the outcome? would probably be ok with that. (A) WHICH REPORTABLE OFFENCES ARE DIRECT TRIBUNAL OFFENCES? Direct Tribunal Offences are those Reportable Offences (specified in the table below) which are referred by the MRO directly to the Tribunal for determination without grading (i.e. without an assessment of the offence using the Classification Table): DIRECT TRIBUNAL OFFENCES Intentional Contact with an Umpire Eye Gouging Stomping Striking an Umpire Spitting on or at an Umpire Spitting on Another Person Attempting to Strike an Umpire Behaving in an Abusive, Insulting, Threatening or Obscene Manner Towards or in Relation to an Umpire Serious Misconduct
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
hard done? he never got it. if he did he hit the post. his tackle numbers fell off. he could barely mark. great career incl 3 medals for a guy with great speed and not much else. the timing of the retirement was bleugh., but i wish him well. it does call into the spotlight the depletion of our forward half: - Jack - on last legs - Lynch -injured - Butler - left - Higgins - left - Chol - left - Coleman Jones - left - Castagna -spat it - Cumberland - too many brain explosions - Rioli Jr - in team for chasing? - Clarke - flashy, needs to get more ball - Ryan - booming kick but tailed off in competitive work this season (needs the gym, and years) - Mansell - harder Castagna with as many flaws Miller has looked ok doing a bit of pinchhitting but so did Ray Hall on his day. Short bombing them from 60. but why don't we have a ready made key forward to give Jack a hand? mid-season draft, we went small again. who have we drafted who is a key? Gibcus looked like he could swing - injured even worse, of Jack retires as he should - who helps Lynch next year? Bradtke? is he any good? i feel like we've been asleep at the wheel topping up... is this where the Himmelberg rumours start to make sense?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Shackled by the criteria. The criteria, is why none of this is stopping. Just judge it on its merits. Kids won't copy a sling tackle (because they can't). They will copy this. It was direct violence on a footy field that is being sanctioned by the AFL. Of course it was high impact. He went down and the ump paid a relayed free. Martin knew he had done it deliberately because you can see him slinking away.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
yes but i still think the selection is bizarre. not sure what Pickett's actual role is? maybe we just have absolutely no depth?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
That's secondary. Thuggery is not an acceptable response. What a strange response. You think that's OK because it's Dusty? The AFL seems to think so too.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
which bit of the actual assessment was incorrect, though? intentional- i guess, but presumably provoked? irrelevant, but not in character low impact - what's your evidence it had higher than low impact? body - clearly not groin or head. so for a suspension you would have to mount a case for at least medium impact. the floor is yours.
Ando7369
Roar Rookie
So why was he putting hand elbows in Martin back non stop where’s he’s morals