MRP - Parker and Nankervis

[neilfws]

All clear I think; the charges in this tweet + 2 more for Tunbridge from WC.

AFL MRP & Tribunal on Twitter: "Eleven charges from round 21.

L Plowman, S Docherty, R Mathieson, E Hipwood, B Keays, L Hodge, M Firrito, B Harvey all fined."

[Meg]

Full words from MRP statement. Good, that's what it looked like to me at the time but I was beginning to doubt this would be the outcome.

"Contact between the Sydney Swans? Toby Nankervis and St Kilda?s Sam Fisher from the third quarter of Saturday?s match was assessed. The ball was loose with Nankervis and Fisher running towards the contest from opposite directions. Fisher arrived at the ball momentarily before Nankervis and slapped the ball forward, past his opponent. Nankervis, who was committed to the contest, braced for contact with his arms crossed in front of him. High contact was made to the St Kilda player. It was the view of the panel that Nankervis? action was not a bumping motion and his actions were not reportable. No further action was taken."

[Meg]

The MRP saved the AFL website some embarrassment as the passage of play in which the Nankervis collision occurred is listed at No. 2 on the "round 21's best moments" video! (The final seconds Nic Nat goal to win the match against GWS was (unsurprisingly) No. 1.)

[Meg]

Parker fend-off is not mentioned in MRP statement.

[Meg]

Good. Sniper.....always has been, although it's a pity Mitchell got up.....

Harvey fined - careless conduct, low impact to head.

[vleung1208]

Brilliant. All clear!

[stevoswan]

From Patrick Keane ?@AFL on Twitter
Toby Nankervis cleared contact SFisher. Panel said Nankervis braced for contact. Action was not a bumping motion and not reportable.

That was my initial view of it when it happened, and replays confirmed that in my mind. He couldn't really avoid contact, but I must admit, it was a very effective 'bracing'! Reminded me of Mummy and I thought "mmmmmm, I like it!"

[stevoswan]

Harvey fined - careless conduct, low impact to head.

Bummer! It's interesting, 'fine' worthy offences now include gut punches, jumper punches to the face (unless you're Tom Hawkins) and round arms to the head. Wow.....and they want to stamp out on field violence?! I'm glad they took a 'common sense' approach to Nanka's hit though.

[liz]

My initial reaction, live, was that it was more of a collision between two big men, but the more you watch these things, the more you start to see them other ways. While I think that the MRP adjudication of Toby's actions is perfectly reasonable, I suspect there have been similar instances in past seasons (or possibly even this season) where such an action is deemed to constitute a bump and the player has been held accountable.

[Rod_]

Barry Hall would have been suspended with a collision like Toby's .. Just saying! Pleased Toby is available for an interesting selection of talls this week

[stevoswan]

My initial reaction, live, was that it was more of a collision between two big men, but the more you watch these things, the more you start to see them other ways. While I think that the MRP adjudication of Toby's actions is perfectly reasonable, I suspect there have been similar instances in past seasons (or possibly even this season) where such an action is deemed to constitute a bump and the player has been held accountable.

Agree, the MRP has seemed to be heading in the direction of 'damage done' and not on the merits of the circumstances, and I was a bit worried when it was obvious Fischer was hurt, and the jaw was involved. Thankfully this time they looked sensibly at the circumstances......should be more of it!

[dejavoodoo44]

Bummer! It's interesting, 'fine' worthy offences now include gut punches, jumper punches to the face (unless you're Tom Hawkins) and round arms to the head. Wow.....and they want to stamp out on field violence?! I'm glad they took a 'common sense' approach to Nanka's hit though.

Then again, I'm not sure if hitting Sam Mitchell should incur any punishment?

[stevoswan]

Then again, I'm not sure if hitting Sam Mitchell should incur any punishment?

[Hotpotato]

Why are The Swans enjoying such a charmed existence at the moment .
It's unfamiliar territory .

[Meg]

In principle the MRP no-charge decision on Nankervis is similar to that made by the then MRP in 2014 on Hannebery for his head-high collision with Hurley. In both cases the MRP is in effect saying the Swans player had no other option in the circumstances. Mind you, there was a bit of an uproar over the Hannebery decision so I expect the Nankervis decision won't be popular with some either!