Is the AFL review panel nuts? Mark Robinson
From: Herald Sun
March 29, 2011 THE unlucky at the weekend were Jonathan Brown, Joel Selwood, Mark Le Cras and Brent Staker, for injuries are football's handicap.
The luckiest, by far, was Jarrad Waite.
The Carlton veteran lashed out with a boot and connected Richmond's Luke McGuane in the most sensitive of places.
Sorry, ladies, but this is a male thing.
If there is to be any sort of contact on a football field, we, the males, would much rather prefer a clip across the head than a kick to the "cousins" of our best friend.
That Waite was yesterday cleared by the AFL match review panel is baffling.
Put it this way: How can somebody kick an opponent on the sporting field and not be suspended?
Not just in the AFL, but any sport.
The MRP said: "After examining the available footage and receiving a medical report from Richmond, it was determined that the force used was below that required to constitute a reportable offence.
"Further, the panel was not satisfied that there was any attempt on the part of Waite to connect with greater force."
Seriously, the force was below that required?
Seriously, Waite did not attempt to connect with great force?
The footage clearly shows it was intentional. Waite knew McGuane was behind him because, as a defender, McGuane was shoving and niggling his opponent.
The MRP's explanation as to what exactly Waite was attempting to do when he swung his leg back and upwards, other than trying to kick McGuane, is difficult to accept.
Another question.
What was worse? Geelong's Matthew Scarlett, who received a week for elbowing Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt, or Waite's kick?
Scarlett's was a cheap shot, but it was foreplay compared to what Waite got away with.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/is-the-afl-review-panel-nuts/story-e6frf9jf-1226029660701