Collingwood star Jordan De Goey is anxiously awaiting the AFL’s Match Review decision following a controversial bump during his team’s significant qualifying final win over Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night. The incident, which involved head contact, has sparked widespread debate and could result in a one-match suspension.
De Goey isn’t alone in facing potential disciplinary action. Adelaide’s Josh Worrell is also under scrutiny for a similar bump on Magpies forward Lachie Schultz. Both players are at risk of receiving one-match bans due to a recent precedent set by the league.
Recent Precedents and Expert Opinions
The potential suspensions are drawing comparisons to a recent incident involving Cats player Shannon Neale, who was banned for a similar hit. Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph highlighted the similarities between Neale’s case and De Goey’s situation, noting that De Goey’s decision to bump rather than contest the ball resulted in clear head-high contact.
“Certainly the De Goey hit on Worrell – only because the comparison to a one-week suspension three weeks ago is so fresh,” Ralph reported.
Ralph further emphasized that although the contact appeared to be of low impact, the precedent set by Neale’s suspension could influence the outcome. He expressed hope that De Goey might only receive a fine, allowing him to play in the preliminary final.
Comparative Analysis
Three-time premiership Tiger Jack Riewoldt offered a different perspective, suggesting that De Goey’s intent might differentiate his case from Neale’s. Riewoldt argued that De Goey was making a play on the ball, which could potentially mitigate the severity of the penalty.
“My opinion is the Shannon Neale one wasn’t in play; it was off the ball, a couple of metres away and clearly he was going to shepherd to bump. I do think De Goey is making some play on the ball, whether it’s to come in and shepherd, he’s close enough here,” Riewoldt stated.
Implications for the Teams
Both De Goey and Worrell’s potential suspensions come at a critical time, with significant implications for their respective teams. The loss of either player could impact team dynamics and performance in the finals series.
Ralph described Worrell’s bump on Schultz as a “very similar incident” to De Goey’s, suggesting that it might also result in a fine rather than a suspension. He noted that these incidents are “line-ball” and highlighted the difficulty in maintaining consistency in disciplinary actions.
“They are really line-ball incidents and what happens in Round 23 has a direct precedent three weeks later even though we don’t feel like those should be suspensions,” Ralph commented.
Looking Ahead
The AFL’s Match Review findings are eagerly anticipated, with the potential to significantly influence the finals series. As teams prepare for the next stage, the outcomes of these reviews will be pivotal. AFL great Jason Dunstall praised De Goey’s performance in the qualifying final, underscoring his importance to the team.
“What also stood out to me was his pace around the contest – they made the Adelaide midfield in particular look very slow,” Dunstall praised.
The decision on De Goey and Worrell’s bumps will not only affect their immediate playing prospects but could also set a precedent for future disciplinary actions in the AFL. Fans and analysts alike await the verdict with bated breath.
