IMO this Trengove controversy highlights a major problem the AFL have created for themselves. They for the sake of promoting non stop entertainment have created a monster which could have serious consequences for the game in the future.The rule changes to make the game faster, more intense and thus more entertaining have created ever increasing dangerous situation for the welfare of the players.

It is understandable that they are concerned about serious head injuries and what happened to Daniel Bell is an example. But now we have a ludicrous situation where an accident caused by a robust tackle is a major reason to punish and besmirch a player for doing what he was told to do and done within the rules with absolutely no malice just because someone got hurt. It appears that now mandatory robust tackling is OK so long as someone does not get hurt in the head to their way of thinking. Any other broken and shattered body parts sustained in tackles appear to be OK even if they do destroy careers.

One could perhaps count dozens of similar tackles over the past weekend and all of them deemed as fair because no one else hit their head on the ground. And now it also appears the AFL are more tolerant of unsportsmanlike behaviours by weight of punishment that would have serious criminal consequences if they happened outside the playing field. Their way of dealing with head injuries caused by tackles is to bury their heads in the sand and take the easy option in punishing the player who played within the rules just because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

If a Trengove like tackle is deemed to be dangerous then the umpires should police it with a free kick every time. Not let it ride and then take action only when someone gets hurt. If they don't address these issues pronto it wont be long before body padding and helmets will become the only viable alternative.

Fantastic post

The Ostrich

Non-sequitur!

Brilliant post!good on ya buddy!you're exactly right!

Nice work America!

Yep the AFL are implicit in all of this. They have done everything in their power to make their "product" more exciting and more action packed be that through rule changes, improvements to playing surface e.g. harder and faster grounds (no doubt a contributing factor in the Trengove case).

Furthermore, high collision impacts resulting in concussion which do not occur through rule breaches will also increase given the competitive nature of the AFL. Every team is looking for the upper hand, sports science is being utilised to gain this upper hand. Stronger and faster players that hit harder are a result of full time professionalism and input from specialist such as biomecanists, nutritionists even tackling coaches.

This is of the AFL's own creation.

Great post ADC

spot on!