It's got nothing to do with the Viney's actions it's the result of his action (broken jaw) even though it was fair.

This is clearly wrong but that's their interpretation.

When Gleeson referred to spinning out of the way, apparently (according to Graeme Bond who was at the hearing) he was merely providing example of what Viney thought he could have done. At no point did he put it to Viney that he should have spun out of the way. Journalists have misrepresented him there.

We don't need to adduce fresh evidence to appeal. We simply need to show there was an error of law or that no reasonable Tribunal could have come to this decision - either of these options (the latter one is better) are open to us. Legally, that seems to me to be a good argument to us, but the risk of the suspension going up may sway us in favour of just accepting the 2 weeks (which is why IMO they gave the 2 weeks).

I don't think anyone is disagreeing with you that the head is sacrosanct, nor do I think anyone is disagreeing with you that the head should be protected by AFL rules.

It's not that. It's the application of those rules to this case. Specifically, it's the application of those rules to a situation in which a player did not bump, and even if he did, had no realistic alternative in the circumstances.

Hmmmm.....have you been reading the reply to my posts and the irrational vitriol levelled at me?

But that's okay....it's a forum and I'll have my say.

JV will learn, and contrary to hand wringing disbelief, he will now be seen as the hardest going around and many a player will take short steps up against this kid.

JR8 ✔ @JackRiewoldt08 Follow

When is the Tom Lynch head butting case on Alex Georgiou case being heard???

Mark Ricciuto ✔ @markricciuto Follow

When will the AFL realise that the fans and players want the game to remain the physical one it always has been. Ban thugs not fair players

Tex Walker ✔ @texwalker13 Follow

Can't bump? Kids can't tackle. Kids can't play to win. Might as well go and play a violin because there is no contact #thisisajoke

Jude Bolton ✔ @Jude_Bolton Follow

Deplorable state of affairs! How has #Viney been found guilty??

Allen Christensen ✔ @achristensen_28 Follow

Lol

Brad Green ✔ @bradgreen18 Follow

Step sideways and avoid contact.. PLEASE.. #viney

The AFL have already had a bad year - you would think they would just let this one go. This is a great opporunity to make your stamp on the game Gillon Mclachlan.

Yes come on pony rider make a difference Just stop this PC Bull#$*t

...the risk of the suspension going up may sway us in favour of just accepting the 2 weeks (which is why IMO they gave the 2 weeks).

Agree. Give him 2 weeks knowing if we appeal we may end up with 4 with a serious impact decision. If they gave him 4 straight up there would be no doubt an appeal would follow. Common sense cannot be expected so there is no way Melbourne will take the chance on losing him for 4 weeks. A petition is the only chance but they will say there is nothing they can do unless Melbourne appeal. That said, speaking from the heart we need to appeal and tell them they have killed, no murdered the AFL. It will cost him another two weeks but it will show we as a football club will not roll over anymore.

Have it on good authority the media will be savaging the AFL for this decision and the farcical implications they're making for the game. Predicting a huge fallout.

Its time the 'old' X players Stood Up & took the game back by the scruff of its neck, smacked it down a bit to dust it off, & shake it out to rid it of all that fluff its gathered in the last 15 years or so...

all this political correct decision making, has sterilised the game of its hard earned character.

Edited May 6, 201411 yr by dee-luded

Emmet bloody Dunne. How many would he have whacked in the head over the years and not raised an eyebrow.

Tiger copper.

Tiger captain gets off with a reprimand.

AFL GUILTY

Well Gillion up to you now. How can you have attacking footy if you cannot commit to the contest??

This , if possible , is beyond LITMUS, its fundamental.

it this isnt corrected the game will suffer, and change irreversibly..

Contact is contact... bump is bump.

This game was born of the hip and bump...but its now looked down upon.. I dont get it

How do you actually play a contact sport and not contact. I played B Ball for a long long while and its supposedly NON contact but its all about how you do body on body.

MFC you invented this game, it now falls upon you , (sic) to defend its virility, its validity , its virtuosness.

what a moment in this game

Hmmmm.....have you been reading the reply to my posts and the irrational vitriol levelled at me?

But that's okay....it's a forum and I'll have my say.

JV will learn, and contrary to hand wringing disbelief, he will now be seen as the hardest going around and many a player will take short steps up against this kid.

Give it a rest.

You are just looking for gawkers and knashed teeth.

Do something better with your time.

Oh, and 'he will learn?'

Learn what exactly?

If you said to him or Roos that 'he will learn' they would look at you like you just ate a live cockatoo.

whats next ....we won't keep score ??

I don't know what's more rigged, the AFL tribunal or the voting for the Eurovision Song Contest.

[quote name="jumbo returns" post="921898" timestamp="

JV will learn, and contrary to hand wringing disbelief, he will now be seen as the hardest going around and many a player will take short steps up against this kid.

I reckon social media would almost literally burn down if it got drawn out to 4 matches after appeal.

I think we will appeal tomorrow. The AFL will be torn between not wanting to buckle to public demand, and doing the right thing. I think the stubbornness of the AFL will win out and the 2 weeks will stand.

Not happy Jan!

Can someone tell me if the rule has changed since Last season when Hodge collided with Murphy, fracturing his cheekbone in the process. Hodge claimed it was an accident, with no malice intended. That is correct, but the head is sacrosanct isn't it? If that happened last week Hodge would go, after all he had a choice, don't go for the ball.

Well actually, come to think of it Hodge wouldn't go down, he is from a big club.

So will every impact injury need a culprit to be punished from now on? The forensic evidence presented tried to show this was not a predetermined decision to bump, but a collision. Why bother, the three clods on the tribunal are either under instructions or extremely dumb. Galling when you think Moose Henwood and DSI Dunne spent much of their careers lining up opposition players.

Edited May 6, 201411 yr by Viscount Hood

I don't know what's more rigged, the AFL tribunal or the voting for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Eurovision

The pirouette will be practiced wholesale this week.

We'll have to get Robbie back, he was the only one I know that could do it within an inch of being steamrolled.

Give it a rest.

You are just looking for gawkers and knashed teeth.

Do something better with your time.

Oh, and 'he will learn?'

Learn what exactly?

If you said to him or Roos that 'he will learn' they would look at you like you just ate a live cockatoo.

Another qualified, dignified response.

Why don't you give it a rest?

But, then again, my expectations of your posts might be too high?

When Gleeson referred to spinning out of the way, apparently (according to Graeme Bond who was at the hearing) he was merely providing example of what Viney thought he could have done. At no point did he put it to Viney that he should have spun out of the way. Journalists have misrepresented him there.

The rule is that if the player elects to bump, then they are responsible for any injury. The verdict shows that they believed that Viney did bump and had other options. Clearly they felt he should have either taken evasive action or stayed front on and being wiped out (not "bumped").

17:55

Nathan Schmook:

Gleeson now proposing he could have spun out of the collision.

Holy [censored]. This can not be serious.

How about we stand that cu^t in that path and see if he can get out of the fu<king way!

I wonder if the AFL is going to start handing out fines to all those players standing up for Jack? That's their usual response to criticism from within.

For that matter, when will they try to hand out fines to the fans who criticise them?

Little clubs will always stay little unless they develop the balls to challenge the AFL leadership and demand their rights.

As supporters, we expect our players to go hard and not shirk a contest. We should now demand the same of Glen Bartlett and the MFC committee.

Don't worry about next year''s draw, equalization, funding etc - make a stand now and appeal because this is wrong.

Do it on behalf of our players, our coaches and everyone else associated with the MFC. And do it because it's right and it may take our once great game down with it.

Edited May 6, 201411 yr by Left Field

what a joke. a ridiculous decision. basketball is what it should be called.

"He could have spun out of the contact". what ABSOLUTE RUBBISH !!

it was a brace to protect himself. no malice. he did not leave the ground.

PLEASE PROTEST MFC. are we demons or soft toys!!!

What worries the AFL most is the TV rights. It would be great if all supporters boycotted the TV this weekend. But it won't happen sadly.

I love how the players are getting on twitter to voice there disgust. Although I like this one from Arch. Arch says he can't boycott the hall of fame dinner as he hasn't got an invite yet Glen Archer would be laughing and thanking god he isnt playing these days.

My god thank god Byron Pickett isnt playing. He;d never get a game.

@demonland: @jackviney7 is such a beast he would have broken the guys jaw with just a look. #redandbluesteel #freeviney