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I think the Fyfe decision was inconsistent, but the common sense decision. Most similar incidents got a week or a fine, but few got off. The general rule has been is that if you go past the ball and make head high contact of any sort, you are are going to at least cop a fine. But the fans want to see the best player win the Brownlow, and that's Nat Fyfe this year. If he does miss out, it will be due to his Mitchell injury and related drop off in form. Would be ironic if Mitchell beat him for the Brownlow this year. The Swans also got one of these favourable decisions with Barry Hall's tummy tap, which was also orchestrated by the AFL so the top players get to play in the GF.
Generally speaking, the Hodge penalty of 2 weeks was consistent with similar incidents with head high contact where the player involved wasn't seriously injured. Brown on Parker also looked very bad and Brown would have gotten more time had Parker been concussed. So both incidents were judged the same as far as the penalty goes, Hodge getting an extra week due to a poor record.
Dermott Brereton, true to form, said Wingard dropping his head contributed to the impact. I'm surprised he didn't call for Wingard to charged for staging.
Generally speaking, the Hodge penalty of 2 weeks was consistent with similar incidents with head high contact where the player involved wasn't seriously injured. Brown on Parker also looked very bad and Brown would have gotten more time had Parker been concussed. So both incidents were judged the same as far as the penalty goes, Hodge getting an extra week due to a poor record.
Dermott Brereton, true to form, said Wingard dropping his head contributed to the impact. I'm surprised he didn't call for Wingard to charged for staging.
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