With a risky tackle on Blues star Sam Walsh attracting the attention of the AFL Match Review Officer, Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield will have to wait anxiously for the results of Friday’s match against Carlton.
In the first minutes of the Cats’ eventual 63-point loss, Dangerfield tackled Walsh when the Carlton onballer was trying to get away from him. The Cats veteran had both of Walsh’s arms held.
Both players’ momentum sent them flying into the ground, and Walsh’s head bounced off the ground, alarming the official umpire, who called Dangerfield for a “dangerous tackle.”
The tackle happened in a single motion, however according to newly proposed AFL Tribunal guidelines, a tackle that “may include a run-down tackle where the tackled player is driven into the ground with excessive force” or one in which an opponent is “slung, driven, or rotated into the ground with excessive force.”
To penalize Dangerfield, the MRO would need to consider the power with which Walsh was slammed into the ground to be “excessive.” If it is determined that Dangerfield put Walsh in a “vulnerable position,” the MRO may also choose to issue a hazardous tackle charge.
After the match, Geelong coach Chris Scott said that the tackle had several moves that could help Dangerfield’s case.
In response, Scott said, “I don’t,” when asked if he was concerned about his captain’s possible absence.
“According to how the ball is now being held, you almost certainly deserve a free kick if you are in possession of an arm.
Pat did not beat him up. He possessed more arm strength, and with that kind of force, you will both fall to the ground.
“That’s the way I saw it.”
In the event that the MRO considers Dangerfield’s tackle to be a reportable offense, his actions would be classified as “careless.” A ‘high’ contact grade would also be assigned since Walsh’s head made contact with the ground.
The Cats player would then be issued a ban if the effect level was’medium’ or above. This would determine whether Dangerfield received a fine or a suspension.
A ‘high’ impact grading would, however improbable, result in two matches, while a’medium’ impact grading would result in a one-game suspension.
Dangerifled would get a pecuniary fine and be eligible to play against Essendon in Round 16 if he received a “low” impact grading.
On Saturday night, the MRO will present their findings from the game on Friday.