The dangerous tackle debate has flared once again amid claims Brisbane star Lachie Neale “contributed” to the motion that saw him crash into the turf in Canberra.
Neale had been wrapped up in a Callan Ward tackle right on three quarter time at Manuka Oval on Saturday night, but seemingly appeared to give up in the tackle before the Giant took him to ground.
Replays showed Ward did have Neale’s arms pinned before the Lions’ star Brownlow Medallist could get his left arm out to brace for impact.
Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Given the AFL’s crackdown on sling tackles and dangerous tackles where players’ heads make contact with the turf, Ward’s likely to come under Match Review scrutiny.
But both Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon and Jordan Lewis questioned just how much of a role Neale played in the tackle.
“I think Lachie Neale contributed to that,” Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon said.
“And this is where we don’t want to get to.
“The tackle is always going to be a contentious issue.
“My initial reaction is that I thought Lachie Neale not contributed, but didn’t do everything he could to work through this.
“You could make the case the legs are wrapped up and he’s been taken to ground.
“His head hits the ground – you’ve got to work out to determine whether he could work his way through and how much did Cal Ward contribute?
“I think Cal Ward’s probably going to have a case to answer.
“I think he’s almost stopped, Cal Ward (in the tackle). We’ll wait and see.”
Lewis agreed Neale appeared “easy” to take to ground.
“I think as the person being tackled, you need to keep your feet busy to try and fight through the tackle,” he said.
“I think Lachie Neale accepted the tackle which then contributed to him being easy to be slammed on the ground.
“The responsibility clearly lies with the tackler but in that instance, I think Lachie Neale contributed to the force of his head hitting the ground.”
Neale was able to bounce up to his feet and join teammates for the three quarter time huddle.
He remained in the contest to start the fourth term, and did not undergo a concussion test.
Already eight players have been banned for dangerous tackles in 2023, with Richmond’s Nathan Broad copping the heaviest of suspensions – four weeks for the sling tackle that concussed Crow Patrick Parnell.
Just this week, Tom Green, Taylor Adams and Zach Merrett all copped bans for tackles that resulted in their opponents hitting their heads on the turf.
