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Common sense and the AFL, I don't think so |
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by Thomas Grant | behindthegame.com.au
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THE 19th man fiasco has sparked much debate as to whether the Swans should be docked two points for their unfair advantage in the dying seconds against North Melbourne on Sunday.
 When debutant Swan Jesse White came on to the ground, it meant Sydney outnumbered the Kangaroos 19-18. With this advantage, Paul Roos' side mustered a desperate behind which tied the scores with a minute left on the clock.
This obvious advantage lasted for 35 seconds.
The punishment, a $50,000 slap on the wrist.
North Melbourne ultimately were forced to man up Jesse White, leaving a Swans player loose. Sydney's resilient zone won the ball back and resulted in a late Brett Kirk snap - a minor score after Michael Firitto heroics saw the determined Roos backman touch the ball just as it crossed the goal line.
Despite the clear unfair advantage placed on North, the Kangaroos have received nil from the AFL's so-called in-depth investigation.
The only just punishment would be to award the points to the Kangaroos, as it is clear in the rule book and accepted throughout that our game is about 18 v 18 on the field at one present moment.
However, the AFL still managed to twist and turn their way out of the scenario, and make a 50,000 profit for themselves without tackling the true issue.
The AFL even had the cheek to suggest that for the Kangaroos to have received the points, the captain would have needed to call - to the umpires - for a headcheck.
Whilst it clearly states in the rules that this is the case, it doesn't defer from the fact that Sydney's actions were blatantly wrong, unfair and game-costing. And, possibly, season-defining when September arrives.
AFL Football Operations Manager Adrian Anderson today stated - on radio - that the rule would be reviewed at the completion of the season.
One must wonder when common sense and the AFL will one day click. |
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