In today’s AFL Briefing, your daily wrap of footy news:
- AFL admits error on interchange ruling in Thursday-night match.
- Max Rooke’s legal action on concussiontreatment stalls.
The AFL has conceded Hawthorn should have been penalised more severely for briefly fielding 19 players on the ground during Thursday night’s 20-point win over Carlton at the MCG.
Blues midfielder Adam Cerra booted a goal close to half-time at the MCG – Carlton’s fourth in a row – as they rode a wave of momentum and had the lead at the main break.
Hawthorn were all smiles after taking the points against Carlton.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Carlton got a free kick after Hawthorn was given a warning for not setting up with a 6-6-6 formation after the breach. But the AFL on Friday said the league’s interchange official should have considered the Hawthorn error as a “major breach” and the Blues should have also been given a 50-metre penalty.
“Hawthorn had 19 players on the field as the teams were resetting for the bounce,” an AFL spokesperson said on Friday.
“Upon realising this, the AFL interchange official notified Hawthorn who took steps to rectify the error before play resumed.”
Adam Cerra is tackled by Jai Newcombe.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Carlton also kicked the next goal through Jack Silvagni before Hawthorn broke their run with a major to Blake Hardwick just before the half-time siren.
The AFL confirmed it warned Hawthorn about managing their player rotations.
“Upon review of the situation post-match, it is the view of the AFL that the AFL interchange official should have considered it a major breach, alerted the umpires and Carlton should have been awarded a free kick and 50m penalty from the centre.”
Post-match, Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell described the situation as a “miscommunication”.
“I just heard about it before I came in here [for the press conference], and the bench guys just said someone came off and then didn’t realise someone had come on, and then no one came on so he ran back on,” Mitchell said.
“It was just a miscommunication, and it obviously cost us a 6-6-6 warning … we then got another one, so it was a free kick.
“So, we need to be better than that – we need to be more organised – and the ripple effect of things like second rucks … those things caused us a bit of trouble. We need to get better in that area, and we would hope that wouldn’t happen again.”
The AFL rules suggest Hawthorn’s indiscretion could have potentially attracted an even harsher penalty.
Under section 5.5 (counting of players), sections (c) and (d) of 5.5.3 (players exceeding permitted number) state:
(c) the team shall lose all points which it has scored in that quarter up to the time of the count; and
(d) the field umpire shall report the circumstances to the Controlling Body, including the scores at the time. The controlling body may further determine the matter by way of a fine, reversal of match result or other sanction as it deems appropriate, including overturning the loss of points
The AFL has been contacted for comment.
Rooke’s concussion case stalls
Jon Pierik
Max Rooke’s landmark concussion class action against the AFL appears to have stalled after the judge hearing the case called for mediation between the parties.
Geelong premiership player Max Rooke.Credit: Paul Rovere
In a Supreme Court directions hearing on Friday, Justice Andrew Keogh told lawyers representing Rooke, the former Geelong premiership star, the AFL and the Cats that the case had made “very little progress” in almost two years, and a pivot towards an informal “case management conference” outside of the courts should be considered.
“There is real uncertainty as to the form the proceedings should take as it goes forward. This must be costing everybody a fair bit of money,” Keogh said.
Keogh said a case management conference would allow “people to sit around the table and discuss relevant issues in the proceedings” rather than “get bogged down in these expensive and time-consuming disputes”.
Ben Ihle, KC, representing the AFL, Michael Rush, KC, representing the Cats, and Rooke’s lawyer, Peter Hamilton, said they were open to the move.
“I have instructions to consent to that,” Hamilton said.
Keogh said he would provide further details to the three parties.
The lawyers had earlier been debating a timetable for when the case should return to court.
Rooke is the lead plaintiff in the class action, alleging permanent, life-altering injuries due to concussions from his playing career, and the AFL’s alleged negligence.
Court papers allege Rooke suffered multiple concussions, including being knocked unconscious on at least two occasions. It is also alleged that he endured an acquired brain injury and psychiatric injury.
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