A bung shoulder, a dodgy floater and some computer-generated fireworks haven’t been enough to save Essendon forward Peter Wright from being slapped with a four-match ban at the AFL Tribunal.
Wright threw himself at the mercy of the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night by pleading guilty to the airborne bump that concussed Sydney defender Harry Cunningham.
The rough conduct charge was classified as careless conduct, severe impact and high contact – all elements Wright accepted.
St Kilda forward Max King likewise had little luck in overturning his one-match ban for a high bump on Collingwood’s Finlay Macrae.
King was cited after collecting the Magpies midfielder in the head after he had disposed of the ball in Thursday night’s match at the MCG.
The bump was deemed careless conduct, high contact and medium impact, drawing a one-match ban.
The Saints unsuccessfully argued King was entitled to bump given the close proximity of the ball, and claimed the high contact was primarily caused by team-mate Bradley Hill’s tackle taking Macrae lower than King could have reasonably foreseen.
Essendon’s lawyer Ben Ihle argued Wright should receive the minimum three-match ban, given the 27-year-old took actions to avoid an even more serious injury to Cunningham and was also quick to apologise to his Sydney opponent after the match.
AFL counsel Nick Pane said the ban should be at least four matches.
“This is one of those examples where it was possible for Wright to avoid forceful high contact and prevent injury,” Pane said.
“Wright clearly leaves the ground, turns his body and tucks his shoulder to bump Cunningham.
“That is an inherently dangerous action that had the potential to cause a serious injury.”
Ihle labelled the kick to Wright a “dodgy floater”, which meant the drop of the ball fell shorter than what could have initially been expected.
He said Wright only had eyes for the ball as he led strongly to take a chest mark, but made a split-second decision to turn his body once he realised contact would be made.
Ihle cited an ongoing right shoulder issue as proof that Wright didn’t turn his body with the intention to clean up Cunningham with his right shoulder.
Sydney players wrestle with Peter Wright. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )
“If Wright was seeking to increase the force of the bump, he would not lead with his injured shoulder,” Ihle said.
“The contact that is made is not from his shoulder, but rather because of the turn, they have front-on, body-to-body contact. He was actually seeking to lessen – albeit not completely avoid – the contact.”
As Ihle was wrapping up his argument, his screen lit up with fireworks. “Some fireworks just went off behind you,” AFL chairman Jeff Gleeson said.
“I think it was an effect on your screen. Well done, it was at the height of your submission.”
Ihle’s arguments – and fireworks display – didn’t deter the three-person panel of David Neitz, Shane Wakelin and Gleeson from handing down a four-match penalty.
“The contact was directly to the head. The extent of force fell into the severe category by a fair margin,” Gleeson said.
“Wright leapt into the contest yet did not attempt to mark or spoil.
“It appears there was an element of bracing for contact, but he had other alternatives.”
Wright will miss matches against St Kilda, Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs and Adelaide, while King will also miss the Bombers-Saints game.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
A player can risk injury avoiding contact while having eyes for the ball. Like you suggest Laurie more incidents like this will occur regularly. Diving away to avoid contact & suspension will look ridiculous in real play & create a frown of applause :laughing:
Tufanooo
Roar Rookie
That doesn't mean he's wrong to say that about Wright. People don't lose the credibility to make an argument just because they transgressed back in the day. Matthews has acknowledged several times what he did was wrong and shouldn't be considered acceptable anymore.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I think making that sort of change mid season is very difficult. Though I will be happy to see Papley get what’s coming to him round 23 see if he’s made of the Wright stuff
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Yeah four weeks is a fair verdict in my opinion. Players need to have a duty of care to one another
Ace
Roar Rookie
So it looks like Wayne Carey is not going to the footy this week. Sadly missed :laughing: So don't leave the ground ..don't bump the head. That's all the AFL ask. Can't be that hard So , we shall wait and see if the players can take the message on board Coaches must be fuming
robertbrob13226
Roar Rookie
Lethal Lee said Wright should have been sent off. Well Lethal I was at Moorabbin ,Windy hill etc back in the day , if you truly believe Wright should have been sent off, You Lethal would be still in jail for your indiscretions
PeteB
Roar Rookie
4 weeks - for once they got it Wright.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Except that he wasn’t trying to mark the ball. And he didn’t have eyes for the ball all the way to impact. I would have been OK with three weeks, but four is fine too. Players have to adjust their playing style to minimize the chance of concussion. It’s too serious of an injury not too.
Marshall
Roar Rookie
While Eddie's defence of Wright can go jump (it's just him reinforcing his Maynard position) if you aren't allowed to mark on your chest any more I weep for the future of the league. That is exactly what a collision between two players with their eyes on the ball looks like. 1 or 2 games, maybe. 4? Pull the other one.
Kick to Kick
Roar Rookie
I’d be been happier with 3 matches plus a send off during the game. Leigh Matthews is absolutely right that the AFL has to address the unfairness of an illegal act taking out a player early in a game whilst the offender stays on and in this case kicks two valuable goals.
Laurie
Roar Rookie
It was always going to be 4 weeks, equal to Powell Pepper. Will there be another player suspended? These collisions can happen so quickly, I think there will be.
stevo
Roar Rookie
Fair sanction here. I agree Wright is not a dirty player but he got it wrong here and deserves some time off. Carey's just a faux toughie and his rant is actually just old school sookery.
Jmh
Roar Rookie
Good to see our defence is as good off field as on.