Just a slap on the wrist and a few weeks off by: Mark Stevens
From: Herald Sun
February 21, 2012 WELCOME to Free Hit February.If you are going to strike, bump, scratch or even stomp on somebody, make sure it is in the first round of the NAB Cup.
You can cop three matches - a hefty suspension under a match review panel formula laden with discounts - and still play in the opening round of the home-and-away season.
For the first time, under an extended NAB Cup competition, a player can serve his suspension in all pre-season games.
Under previous rules, players suspended in the pre-season had to serve their time from the start of the premiership season - unless their team continued in a knockout NAB Cup.
North Melbourne's Drew Petrie and Carlton's Michael Jamison missed the start of the real thing last season after being nailed by the panel in pre-season games.
Yet Reece Conca, who was dealt three matches yesterday for a bump on North Melbourne's Leigh Adams, is free to play against Carlton in Round 1 as the Tigers' next three pre-season matches will count as penance.
That is two NAB Cup games, and even the final round of glorified experimental practice games.
The AFL's theory is simple: The games are more meaningful than in the past because final NAB Cup placings and prizemoney are on the line. A club could move from eighth to sixth on the summer ladder and pick up a few thousand extra.
You can understand the league's take, but it is a massive stretch.
Missing pre-season games of any kind is not a sufficient deterrent. In fact, it would be a positive for some.
Players like to preserve themselves. It's nice to have a run or two, but missing three "practice" matches is hardly a brutal blow.
Collingwood star Dane Swan was that relaxed for Saturday night's NAB Cup openers, he didn't even know for sure if the Pies had won when he was interviewed at Blacktown post-match.
It's hardly a big deal missing a match of that status.
This column should not be seen as a slap to Conca, who was stiff to cop three. Yes, it was off the ball but it was hardly a hanging offence.
But he is extremely fortunate to create history by missing three summer matches and freshening up for Round 1 against the Blues.
And Petrie and Jamison, who suffered the pain of missing Round 1 last year, should be peeved.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/just-a-slap-on-the-wrist-and-a-few-weeks-off/story-e6frf9jf-1226276385465
