Cooney high hit on Ablett - Who has the Duty of Care?

[deanox 9,006]

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-05-25/cooney-reported-for-high-hit-on-ablett

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-05-25/star-report-not-dogs-only-worry

Cooney is running in to contest what was a loose ball at a 90 degree angle to Ablett.

If Cooney kept running straight he would have barrelled into Ablett head first and potentially hurt himself.

Ablett glances up (the final footage clearly shows that Ablett looks up towards Cooney) and choose to turn 90 degrees so he is facing head first towards Cooney. Cooney, who had turned to protect himself, crashes into Abletts head instead of Abletts side, gives away a free and gets reported. That Cooney looses his feet just before the impact will probably work against him, and make it look sloppy or reckless.

The impact to Ablett's head only occurred because Ablett chose to turn that way. Ablett was in a position to win the ball AND protect himself, however he chose to put himself in danger to try and prevent Cooney contesting the ball.

I don't like to see dangerous head high clashes, but I hope this is thrown out in line with the Viney and Hannebery examples. The AFL needs to stamp out dangerous front on contact, BUT they need to force, through tribunal decisions, ALL players to protect themselves, not just the player who arrives a fraction late.

Turning into the play was dangerous and Ablett exposed himself to unnecessary risk.

Edit: One could argue that Ablett turned because of the way the ball rolled and bounced, meaning that at the last second he had to turn that way if he was to gain possession. And if that is accepted as being the case, then it is unreasonable for a tribunal to expect that Cooney either would have had time to either predict that the ball would bounce awkwardly or time to react and change the direction and nature of his attack on the ball. In this case it should be awarded as a free kick then deemed "accidental" and "unavoidable" and thrown out.

Also, Ablett bounced up and took his kick. Surely that is "insufficient force" for a report?

Edited May 25, 2014 by deanox

[InVINCEable 358]

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-05-25/cooney-reported-for-high-hit-on-ablett

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-05-25/star-report-not-dogs-only-worry

Cooney is running in to contest what was a loose ball at a 90 degree angle to Ablett.

If Cooney kept running straight he would have barrelled into Ablett head first and potentially hurt himself.

Ablett glances up (the final footage clearly shows that Ablett looks up towards Cooney) and choose to turn 90 degrees so he is facing head first towards Cooney. Cooney, who had turned to protect himself, crashes into Abletts head instead of Abletts side, gives away a free and gets reported. That Cooney looses his feet just before the impact will probably work against him, and make it look sloppy or reckless.

The impact to Ablett's head only occurred because Ablett chose to turn that way. Ablett was in a position to win the ball AND protect himself, however he chose to put himself in danger to try and prevent Cooney contesting the ball.

I don't like to see dangerous head high clashes, but I hope this is thrown out in line with the Viney and Hannebery examples. The AFL needs to stamp out dangerous front on contact, BUT they need to force, through tribunal decisions, ALL players to protect themselves, not just the player who arrives a fraction late.

Turning into the play was dangerous and Ablett exposed himself to unnecessary risk.

So... suspend Ablett or??

[deanox 9,006]

So... suspend Ablett or??

haha interesting idea, suspending players for not protecting themselces? Moorcroft would have got weeks for his speccy!

I think it should be deemed "accidental", no suspension. And subsequently I think the AFL should direct players to start looking after themselves.

The AFL has run with "the head is sacred" for a few years and players are choosing to lead with the head because they know they will either draw a free kick from an over-zealous umpire, or that by leading with their head, opposition players are forced to lessen their attack on the footy.

Leading with your head in an attempt to force opposition players to look after you isn't acceptable. Turning, bracing for contact and taking that contact is the tough way to play the game.

It is clear that Cooney was not intending to bump or hip and shoulder, just trying to win the footy while bracing for body contact.

[Clintosaurus 6,952]

Pretty sure the MRP will throw this one out. Also fairly confident Ablett's elbow (didn't see it) will be adjudged as being less force than would constitute an offence.

[Chook 14,702]

I think a system whereby players could get fined for not approaching potentially dangerous situations with proper care for their own bodies is potentially a good idea.

A player who goes in head-first to a contest when going in hip first would have been a viable option should be disinsentivesed to do so. It would reduce the number of injuries and potentially save the AFL a lot of drama down the road with regard to concussion problems.

[jazza 1,323]

Cooney had a look,saw the player coming in and decided not to put his hands at the ball,instead put his rump there.

Thought the rule was bought in to stop this.slid and caused head clash.

The old footy coach always said "hold your feet and try to pick up the ball". simple really.

Just an AFL tricky situation to not impose a rule.{typical poor leadership]

Edited May 27, 2014 by jazza

[John Dee 441]

This was all Ablett's fault. He looked and saw Cooney coming and put his head down to draw the contact.

[TGR 1,367]

Surely what is inevitable is an obligation on the ball getter (Hurley or Ablett), to turn their body, especially in Ablett's case where he looked up and clearly knew of impending contest.

I think Cooney dropping his feet shows how confused the playing fraternity are. He thought he had less chance of collecting Ablett if he collapsed to the ground.

[deanox 9,006]

Agree TGR. I think he turned to protect himself and try and win the ball, then when he realised that Ablett turned into him he was forced to lose his feet to avoid the high and dangerous contact.

It would only take a couple of fines/suspensions for players who lead with the head and players will all turn back the other way.

Force all players to protect themselves. At the moment there is incentive to put yourself in danger if you can be the first to the ball.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,005]

Ablett clearly played for the free. He assumed a completely unnatural posture to ensure his head was hit. It should have been play on.

[monoccular 16,686]

I think it is real well overdue that it is made very clear that guys ducking their head into an oncoming player is both very dangerous to to themselves - a real risk of a broken neck - and will NOT earn them a free kick.