Match Review Officer Michael Christian reportedly threatened to quit his role over conflict with AFL bosses regarding Brayden Maynard’s charge for concussing Angus Brayshaw as part of a “dramatic” Friday.
The debate surrounding Maynard’s sentence has been among the most polarising and divisive in recent history as the Magpies vice-captain was referred directly to the tribunal in a rare sentence under new AFL executive general manager Laura Kane’s name.
Having compromised to not put his name to the charge, Christian believed Maynard had no case to answer for and was willing to stake his job on the line — a viewpoint opposed by AFL bosses.
It then led to Christian threatening to walk away from the role.
“At this point, my understanding is the Match Review Officer said he would have to consider his future at the AFL if this recommendation went through to the tribunal,” Caroline Wilson added.
“Whatever happened after that, whether a bluff was called, but Michael Christian is still there and the recommendation still went through to the tribunal.”
It’s not the first time Christian has been overruled, with former AFL footy operations boss Steve Hocking in 2021 referring David Mack straight to the tribunal for a hit that broke Hunter Clark’s jaw — a hearing in which Mackay was eventually cleared.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/collingwood-magpies/afl-2023-michael-christian-threatened-to-quit-as-match-review-officer-conflict-with-afl-bosses-laura-kane-brayden-maynard-hit-on-angus-brayshaw-video-latest-news/news-story/d13982e11c1d3ad5349e20ec1c737ced
