Interesting decision.
Keath was concussed so it is a question over whether it should have been cited. But the issue there is whether there were grounds to cite this. Clearly rough conduct was the only charge they could have brought, and, given it was Keath who initiated the contact, it was very very tenuous.
When we compare to the Vlastuin incident, that was a much clearer case to be cited. As I also said back then, it would be up to the tribunal to decide whether it was careless or not and proceed from there. The fact the Dangerfield case wasn't sent to the tribunal, when this case was, is a testament to the ridiculous inconsistencies in the way they treat these incidents.
There are clear differences here between the 2 incidents. Dangerfield did not take evasive action, he raised his elbow. Lynch was taking evasive action. In the Vlastuin incident both players were going for the ball, in this case Keath clearly wasn't. I think Dangerfield had more of a case to answer, whether he would have been able to answer that case we will never know. One thing is for certain, there were more grounds to cite Dangerfield's hit on Vlastuin than there were to cite Lynch's collision with Keath.
A few things come out of this.
Firstly, the football media need to take a very long hard look at themselves. The tribunal decides guilt, players are not deemed to be guilty just because they have been sent to the tribunal. The trial by media has to stop, it's a f**cken circus.
The AFL need to sort out what they will and won't send to the tribunal. They need to grow a backbone and consistently apply their own rules. If they did this more consistently, and more cases went to the tribunal, where some charges are upheld and other charges dismissed, it would make this process far better.
I suspect there may have been some legal advice taken here too. If this went to court, for example Keath later tries to sue the AFL or Footscray over this incident, I suspect he would lose. He would lose because he initiated the contact. There was simply no reason for Keath to be running towards that marking contest, unless he wanted to block Lynch. So, Keath's actions led to the collision, and his actions were in contravention of the rules of the game, therefore, it was his fault. I hope he is ok but it was his actions which led to the collision.
I have a tiny bit more faith in the tribunal and hopefully this can be a catalyst for at least parts of the AFL to stop pandering to the whims of the powers that be and the f**ckwits in the football media.
I have no faith the football media will change their spots, they are just after more clicks, we all need to stop going anywhere near them. Cancel Foxtel, don't listen to SEN, don't watch their idiotic shows. If they want us to watch their shows they need to get a hell of a lot better at their jobs, in fact, it would be even better if most of them just resigned and made way for some journos who actually deserve the name journalist.
DS
