Pickett's 6 weeks

[midaro]

What do you think about Pickett's 6 week suspension.

In all honestly, to me it looked like 3 (perhaps 2 or 4), but 6 just seems over the top.

[Barry Schneider]

Well over the top.I posted on Bigfooty that Barry Hall could get weeks just for giving someone a mean look based on that decision.
I thought a free kick was enough but I am a dinosaur who likes a bit contact in my footy.

[Mike_B]

Agree with Midaro, but then again, the guy has been getting away with that kind of stuff for a while now (its one thing when an opponentncan see you coming and another when you come from the side, no eyes fro the ball and take a guy out).

4 weeks would have been about right.

[Glenn]

Thought it was harsh, but as Mike mentioned he made no attempt at the ball, not sure if his past record counted against him.
As long as they are consistent with the point gradings for the various offences I have no problems with it

[peterh_oz]

Originally posted by Glenn
Thought it was harsh, but as Mike mentioned he made no attempt at the ball, not sure if his past record counted against him.
As long as they are consistent with the point gradings for the various offences I have no problems with it

had Pickett pleaded guilty to all specifications of the charge he could have received a points discount.

But instead Carroll (his defence lawyer) argued that Pickett's actions were negligent rather than intentional - as determined by the match review panel in grading the charge - while he also argued contact had only been high rather than severe.

Had the new three man jury system - which now decides the player's guilt or innocence - accepted Carroll's submission then the charge would have been worth only the equivalent of a level three charge under the AFL's new set penalties system.

That would have meant a three match suspension for Pickett, but instead, the jury - which consisted of former Richmond defender and former tribunal member Emmett Dunne as well as ex North Melbourne skipper Wayne Schimmelbusch and ex St Kilda captain Stewart Loewe - ruled the charge should attract 660 points - meaning a six match suspension with 60 points carried over for the rest of the season.

The jury agreed with the assessment of the match review panel that Pickett's actions were intentional and severe.

SNIP

The large suspension handed down to Pickett came despite the fact he had just one prior suspension in a career dating back to 1997 - a one match ban for striking in 2002.

But under the AFL's new points system that meant Pickett had another ten percent of points added to his total - with a level five charge of rough play attracting 550 points plus the 55 for his previous penalty meaning a total of 605 - or a six match ban.

But with cases referred directly to the tribunal, those above level five - the jury can decide the number of points as they see fit and settled for 660.

SOURCE

[liz]

It seems harsh based on previous similar cases but I have no problem with the AFL coming down on actions that could seriously injure a player. Any forceful contact to the head, especially where the player is vulnerable and unaware that the contact is coming, needs to be stamped out.

[peterh_oz]

If it was accidental it would've been 3 weeks. But they deemed it to be deliberate. If he agreed he would've got 5 weeks, but got 6 because by contesting he lost his discount.

Maybe they need a smaller discount (half eg 12%) for half-agreeing (he didn't contest the hit or the location, he only contested deliberate/accidental).

[swansrule100]

i dont mind this new system thus far, pickett paid the price for being a dirty player who goes the man week in week out!

[NMWBloods]

About time they were serious over this sort of offence - one of the most dangerous in the game.

[swansrule100]

exactly, even though it might not be the most vicious looking or anything, its about protecting the player with his head over the ball

[ScottH]

Originally posted by Mike_B
4 weeks would have been about right.

It probably was 4 weeks, plus 2 for being a serial offender.

[Barry Schneider]

Originally posted by ScottH
It probably was 4 weeks, plus 2 for being a serial offender.

As I understand it Pickett has been suspended only once and that was for striking.

[ScottH]

Originally posted by Barry Schneider
As I understand it Pickett has been suspended only once and that was for striking.

Only once!!! Are you sure? I woulda thought it was more. Maybe it just seems like more.

[cruiser]

Pickets a dirty bastard who's had it coming for a while now. No doubting his brilliance as a footballer, but he's been getting away with foul play for too long. 6 games is well justified as far as I am concerned.