2023 Finals Series

[stellation]

I don't think the three are comparable. The Swans were able to persuade the tribunal that Dane and Tom didn't initiate a bump on their opponents, but that they were accidental collisions between two players positioning themselves (in the Rampe case) or contesting a bouncing ball (in the McCartin case). There are plenty of instances during games where contact is made, a player comes off the worse for wear, but no-one thinks there should be a suspension. Just from our own games, a player recently ran headfirst into Wicks's shoulder/back/arm as Wicks was marking the ball. Heeney has "taken out" a couple with his backside as he has been crouched down picking up the ball.

Unfortunately for Bedford, it seems he did initiate the contact with Fisher and the AFL sees any action like that as a "bump". And it probably was more of a bump than some other actions that had been penalised - like Campbell's collision with Whitfield (?) that he received a week for (and which the Swans came close to contesting but in the end decided not to). The only vision I've seen of the incident is a 23 second clip from a single angle. It doesn't seem like the contact was excessive, but it rarely is nowadays. It's impossible to tell from that clip whether Fisher was telling the truth or not about whether the contact was essentially to his body or there was a high component.

I agree with your logic that they're not comparable, despite clearly deciding to compare them. I just thought the other 2 looked worse, if that makes sense, and there wasn't a lot in the Bedford one where I could really ascertain why it would be assessed more harshly (even agreeing with your read of it!).

- - - Updated - - -

Bedford free to play after appeals hearing. Good on him.

Greater Western Sydney forward Toby Bedford learns his fate after two-hour Appeals hearing

Sanity prevails! It is crazy that they've had to wait this long to get him cleared, I don't see any real reason why this couldn't have been resolved and out of the way a week ago.

[barry]

Can't wait for tonight's game. A demons win will shut all those arrogant pies up.
Pies game looks good in H&A last year, but came back to earth in the finals. (I meant even we beat them !).

[Thunder Shaker]

Bedford free to play after appeals hearing. Good on him.

Greater Western Sydney forward Toby Bedford learns his fate after two-hour Appeals hearing

It says a lot about the Tribunal's handling of this incident when we're applauding that a Giant got off on appeal.

It's also ridiculous that an incident that occurred 11 days ago has to wait until the day of the first final before completing the Tribunal process. How can Bedford prepare adequately?

The AFL should review its Tribunal to make sure incidents are handled in a more timely manner.

[Mel_C]

I'm at the MCG. It was pouring before but the rain has eased. My brother just showed me a tweet that there is lightning expected during the game, so the game will be stopped for up to 20 minutes if there is.

The Collingwood army was so loud when the team went through the banner.

I don't know who I want to win. I wish I already knew the result of our match.

[dejavoodoo44]

I'm at the MCG. It was pouring before but the rain has eased. My brother just showed me a tweet that there is lightning expected during the game, so the game will be stopped for up to 20 minutes if there is.

The Collingwood army was so loud when the team went through the banner.

I don't know who I want to win. I wish I already knew the result of our match.

I suspect that the Collingwood army will convince you to go for Melbourne.

[longmile]

Amazed that the commentators are defending Maynard who has done plenty of dog acts in his career. Imagine if a Swans players did that - they'd be crucifying them

[barry]

Bradshaw gone for 2+ weeks (concussion). Maynard gone for 3+ weeks for head high contact.
Big for future finals

[Mel_C]

Wow that doesn't look good for Brayshaw. From where I'm sitting I haven't seen him move. Medical staff from both teams are assisting.

Melee has started in Melbourne forward line!

[Mel_C]

I suspect that the Collingwood army will convince you to go for Melbourne.

You are correct!

[longmile]

Then Maynard tries to headbutt Viney - scumbag

[barry]

Add 2 to Maynard for a headbut!

[Jimitron5000]

The commentators really are coming to Maynard's defence here.
Regardless of what the tribunal says about it, Collingwood's lawyers will get him off, citing Rampe and McCartin incidents.

[longmile]

The commentators really are coming to Maynard's defence here.

Am I going crazy?! He just cleaned someone up and then tried to headbutt another player? And they're supporting him?

[Thunder Shaker]

A summary of the teams' head to head finals records:

Collingwood v Melbourne: Melbourne has played Collingwood in a final 22 times, which is the most finals Melbourne has played against any other team. Melbourne's record against Collingwood is quite good: 22 finals for 16 wins, 5 losses and 1 draw. Melbourne's 16 wins is their biggest number of wins against another side in finals by a large margin, with their next best 8 wins and 1 draw against Essendon. Melbourne's win percentage of 75% is bettered only by their records against North Melbourne (4-1), Fitzroy (2-0) and St Kilda (3-0). From the Collingwood perspective, Collingwood's finals record against Melbourne has the lowest win percentage (25%) of all teams that Collingwood has played in a final. These finals include the 1926, 1939, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1960 and 1964 Grand Finals.

Carlton v Sydney: Carlton has played South Melbourne/Sydney in finals 11 times for 5 wins and 6 losses. This is a fairly middling win percentage for both sides. These 11 finals include the 1907, 1909, 1914 and 1945 Grand Finals.

St Kilda v GWS Giants: These two teams have never met before in a final. 2023 is the first season where both teams have made the finals in the same year.

Brisbane Lions v Port Adelaide: Brisbane has played Port Adelaide in three finals for 2 wins and 1 loss. These finals include the 2004 Grand Final, Brisbane's only loss in a final to Port Adelaide. Brisbane's 2 other finals against Port were both at the Gabba, which they won.

[dejavoodoo44]

Would anyone be too unhappy, if this descended into an aggro bloodbath, with a large number of suspensions for both sides?