Ben Johnson case to test the AFL's judicial system

[Redleg 38,002]

And while you are checking that hit out on youtube, have a look at Michael Long's one on simmonds in the 2000 gf. He should have been suspended for life - seriously. It makes Johnsons dog act look positively tame.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jME5Y6r8E0&NR=1

Agree. I was just metres away from the Long/Simmonds hit and I was actually frightened he had killed or paralysed him. I had until that day admired Long but thought it was one of the most revolting acts I had seen on a football field. Long charged at Simmonds from about 15 metres away, braced to hit him with a shoulder and arm while Simmonds was head down trying to gather the ball. I lost all respect for Long at that moment. He should have got a season. It severely harmed football in my opinion and was as cowardly as a king hit from behind. As you can see my rage continues.

Just as a side issue I knew the game was over as only the Ox came in to deal with Long and even he was pretty mild. It was a grand final and we were shown to be weak. Essendon were tough and aggressive. Don't forget Greens deliberate neck/throat injury and the elbow that cuased it. Oh by the way, who coached Essendon?

[pantaloons 2,019]

This case shouldn't be a test for the tribunal, given the clear visual evidence available to them. Bell's head was down, Johnson had plenty of time to pull out, but laid a forceful bump squarely to the head. An absolute minimum of four weeks should be handed out, and he wouldn't be hard done by with six. It was the worst body to head hit since the 2000 Grand Final, and that includes Byron's bump that landed him six weeks while wearing Port Adelaide colours. Anything less than four weeks will show either that the AFL is not definite and serious about protecting the sanctity of the head, or that the tribunal system needs an overhaul. For the sake of it's image and it's desire to protect players with their head over the ball, the AFL cannot afford to let this go for under 4 weeks, and I'm fairly certain they won't. Whatever remorse Ben Johnson showed after the incident doesn't concern me at all. He can watch Collingwood from the stands in September and have a think about his actions and the fact that he is extremely fortunate to just be missing a finals series and not have cost someone their ability to walk.

[Jaded No More 58,887]

That vision makes me feel sick.

An unnecessary act that could have caused very serious damage to Bell. You just cannot target someone's head/neck, and Ben Johnson had enough time to change directions or pull-out.

Should get at least 4 weeks.

On a lighter note, I love the umpire yelling at Jonesy to calm down. You don't mess with Jonesy, ump! :D

[Gorgoroth 12,351]

The guys on triple m said he was in trouble and billy on sen said he deserves 4

as it was said the whole time bell was running straight at johnson so ther was no late turn, if he does not get 3 before his remaining points gets added i will spit chips.

[grazman 6,620]

The guys on triple m said he was in trouble and billy on sen said he deserves 4

as it was said the whole time bell was running straight at johnson so ther was no late turn, if he does not get 3 before his remaining points gets added i will spit chips.

3LO highlighted that both Stokes and Ben Johnson were the only players charged thus far under the rule in the preseason. Both got four weeks and according to the commentators neither was anywhere near as bad as Ben Johnson.. I think it'll be graded as severe and I think he's looking at a minimum of six weeks.

[diesel 420]

3LO highlighted that both Stokes and Ben Johnson were the only players charged thus far under the rule in the preseason. Both got four weeks and according to the commentators neither was anywhere near as bad as Ben Johnson.. I think it'll be graded as severe and I think he's looking at a minimum of six weeks.

So is this Ben Johnsons second time this year on charging?

If so he is even more of DOG than I thought last night. He had a week to pull out of that bump and go in low for the ball.

[Al`s DEMONS 0]

Goodes- dog act on Godders, big fat fat nothing

Kerr- elbow to head of someone(vey much on purpose)1 week with priors taken into account

Flash- punch to chest, cops two weeks

dont worry about point systems or match review vs tribunal vs umpires . The whole system is f**ked. example - if i run flat out at an opponent with my only intention being to elbow the bloke in the head and send him into next week, one of two things will happen- 1- he doesnt see me coming, make good contact, brake his nose, knock him out, he takes no further part in game and misses following week. I cop 4 weeks at tribunal

2- sees me out of corner of his eye or gets warning and ducks his head, i go flying past and just clip him, he hits ground but is straight back up, plays rest of game. i get 1 week at tribunal.

AN ELBOW SHOULD BE MINIMUM 4 WEEKS REGARDLESS, STUPID ENOUGH TO DO IT TWICE , COP 8. SOUNDS EXCESSIVE? NO. STAMP OUT THE CHEAP SHOT MERCHANTS AND LEAVE IN FAIR BUMPS. JOHNSONS BUMP WAS AVOIDABLE AND HE SHOULD COP A FISTING FOR HIS EFFORT. when vision is slowed down does anyone bother to look at the eyes of the offender. cast your minds back to when Moloney first played against the cats. ran in to clean up a bloke fairly , when the Geelong player tripped Moloneys facial expressions and eyes changed from being your mine to [censored].... pull out pull out which he tried to do and still got hammered for it. B johnson made no such attempt and his body language was poor. If he played for the Swans Eagles or Lions he would have no case to answer for

[dees189227 10,994]

A dog of an act.

Now let's see the AFL match review panel and all the rest of them deal with this case as it should.

On before the game tonight they mentioned that collingwood are already preparing a defence. get this they may be saying that Bell was concussed when his head hit carols leg and I heard someone else say that on radio. If Johnson didn't do what we did then bell wouldn't be in the position to hit Nathan's leg he was probably knocked out cold straight away. I couldn't care less how bad Johnson feels. So he should. I want him to get at least 4 weeks. But knowing the afl he will get only 2.

[demonsflag555657 3]

Goodes- dog act on Godders, big fat fat nothing

Kerr- elbow to head of someone(vey much on purpose)1 week with priors taken into account

Flash- punch to chest, cops two weeks

dont worry about point systems or match review vs tribunal vs umpires . The whole system is f**ked. example - if i run flat out at an opponent with my only intention being to elbow the bloke in the head and send him into next week, one of two things will happen- 1- he doesnt see me coming, make good contact, brake his nose, knock him out, he takes no further part in game and misses following week. I cop 4 weeks at tribunal

2- sees me out of corner of his eye or gets warning and ducks his head, i go flying past and just clip him, he hits ground but is straight back up, plays rest of game. i get 1 week at tribunal.

AN ELBOW SHOULD BE MINIMUM 4 WEEKS REGARDLESS, STUPID ENOUGH TO DO IT TWICE , COP 8. SOUNDS EXCESSIVE? NO. STAMP OUT THE CHEAP SHOT MERCHANTS AND LEAVE IN FAIR BUMPS. JOHNSONS BUMP WAS AVOIDABLE AND HE SHOULD COP A FISTING FOR HIS EFFORT. when vision is slowed down does anyone bother to look at the eyes of the offender. cast your minds back to when Moloney first played against the cats. ran in to clean up a bloke fairly , when the Geelong player tripped Moloneys facial expressions and eyes changed from being your mine to [censored].... pull out pull out which he tried to do and still got hammered for it. B johnson made no such attempt and his body language was poor. If he played for the Swans Eagles or Lions he would have no case to answer for

Yes swans eagles and lions um afl god childs.

[Redleg 38,002]

when vision is slowed down does anyone bother to look at the eyes of the offender. cast your minds back to when Moloney first played against the cats. ran in to clean up a bloke fairly , when the Geelong player tripped Moloneys facial expressions and eyes changed from being your mine to [censored].... pull out pull out which he tried to do and still got hammered for it. B johnson made no such attempt and his body language was poor. If he played for the Swans Eagles or Lions he would have no case to answer for

One major difference with the Moloney case was that it was accepted at the tribunal that he didn't make contact with the victim. He got three weeks because Judge Jones directed the tribunal at the hearing that if a player caused another person to fall and hit the ground because the person thought he was about to get hit illegally that was sufficient. He made new law. In the Bell case there was deliberate severe force applied to the head of a player that was bending down for the ball. Realistically it would have to be 6 before any carryover points are added ( an extra week ) and then a week or two off for a guilty plea. Probable result 5 games.

[WonnaJurah 5]

my view

high contact

wasnt going for ball ( must b pies thing , thought coach said go for bell not ball got mixed up)

has a bad record

is pure filth

if he misses rest of year il be happy

[demonsflag555657 3]

my view

high contact

wasnt going for ball ( must b pies thing , thought coach said go for bell not ball got mixed up)

has a bad record

is pure filth

if he misses rest of year il be happy

Demonstorm it looks like that is max walker on your picture if it is that is my cousin.

[Satan 2,786]

On before the game tonight they mentioned that collingwood are already preparing a defence. get this they may be saying that Bell was concussed when his head hit carols leg and I heard someone else say that on radio. If Johnson didn't do what we did then bell wouldn't be in the position to hit Nathan's leg he was probably knocked out cold straight away. I couldn't care less how bad Johnson feels. So he should. I want him to get at least 4 weeks. But knowing the afl he will get only 2.

They will get the biomechanics professor etc. Bell fumbled the ball(irrelevant) . From where i sat in the SS , hit was reckless not negligent(that will be brought up to if it is a reckless charge, down grade to negligent) Stange the filth went ballistic when Caracella got hit by notting but were pretty quiet after bell got hit.

[The Oracle 118]

On before the game tonight they mentioned that collingwood are already preparing a defence. get this they may be saying that Bell was concussed when his head hit carols leg and I heard someone else say that on radio. If Johnson didn't do what we did then bell wouldn't be in the position to hit Nathan's leg he was probably knocked out cold straight away. I couldn't care less how bad Johnson feels. So he should. I want him to get at least 4 weeks. But knowing the afl he will get only 2.

The problem with every aspect of this so-called "defence" of Johnson is the precedent set by the Tribunal in the Brent Moloney case a couple of years ago. In that case, the Tribunal disregarded the strong possibility that Moloney didn't even touch Jimmy Bartel and that Bartel sustained his injury when his head connected with the ground and said all of that was irrelevant in handing out a two week sentence. Johnson's hit wasn't spontaneous or spur of the moment. He should be getting the absolute maximum in this instance - 6 to 8 weeks.

[CHAMP 347]

The problem with every aspect of this so-called "defence" of Johnson is the precedent set by the Tribunal in the Brent Moloney case a couple of years ago. In that case, the Tribunal disregarded the strong possibility that Moloney didn't even touch Jimmy Bartel and that Bartel sustained his injury when his head connected with the ground and said all of that was irrelevant in handing out a two week sentence. Johnson's hit wasn't spontaneous or spur of the moment. He should be getting the absolute maximum in this instance - 6 to 8 weeks.

Drowning men clutch at straws. The MRP and Tribunal anyway pay no regard to precedent. The assault upon Bell should be viewed in isolation. The impact with Carroll's leg was incidental and minor; it was with the quads and he was trying to move the limb away and not a contributory factor in the concussion. This defence, so-called, is a desperate and pathetic attempt to have Johnson available for their Final.

[deestroy08 0]

Some of the comments on YouTube re: this video are disgraceful.

It's not hard to pick who are the supporters of a fair game and those who are just completely blind to a dog act.

How dare they call Bell those names - they clearly have absolutely no idea what kind of player he actually is.

It's hard to see how hard Carroll's knee hits Bell, but that shouldn't really matter.

There is enough vision there to put Johnson away for at least 4.

Does anyone have the link to the Collingwood forum? - I'd be interested to see what they're saying about this.

[deanox 8,770]

The problem with every aspect of this so-called "defence" of Johnson is the precedent set by the Tribunal in the Brent Moloney case a couple of years ago. In that case, the Tribunal disregarded the strong possibility that Moloney didn't even touch Jimmy Bartel and that Bartel sustained his injury when his head connected with the ground and said all of that was irrelevant in handing out a two week sentence. Johnson's hit wasn't spontaneous or spur of the moment. He should be getting the absolute maximum in this instance - 6 to 8 weeks.

is this 'the' oracle who writes the match preview and makes outstanding predictions? whats with your member joined date?

[WonnaJurah 5]

Demonstorm it looks like that is max walker on your picture if it is that is my cousin.

bonus points for you:)

[WonnaJurah 5]

Hun

this article sums it up saying it was a brain explosion and he had planned the attack on bell

season 07 + start 08 suspended will do

[Gorgoroth 12,351]

min 4, i will be listening to SEN tomorrow to hear the verdict.

[WonnaJurah 5]

Some of the comments on YouTube re: this video are disgraceful.

It's not hard to pick who are the supporters of a fair game and those who are just completely blind to a dog act.

How dare they call Bell those names - they clearly have absolutely no idea what kind of player he actually is.

It's hard to see how hard Carroll's knee hits Bell, but that shouldn't really matter.

There is enough vision there to put Johnson away for at least 4.

Does anyone have the link to the Collingwood forum? - I'd be interested to see what they're saying about this.

there mostly saying gone for season and was hoping bell was ok

[WonnaJurah 5]

anyone got a vid of the roe incident as well

be a big tribunal

baker

johnson and roe and power

[Kit Walker 209]

Bond on 3AW classified it (he used the terms best case for Johnson) as reckless, high contact, high impact. Taking into account prior record and 70 carry over points, it came to 620. 4 Weeks for an early plea (620 less 25% = 465).

[Ash35 425]

From an Essendon supporters point of view, and I realise the tribunal doesn't use past cases as a bench mark, but if Matthew Lloyds "bump" on Nathan Carroll at 3/4 time in Round 13 was worth one match, Johnson is surely looking at 4 or 5 games. The AFL are red hot on stamping out these sorts of front on bumps that can cause serious injuries.

I saw the Jason Roe incident differently. I thought it was clearly a case were both players were going for the ball, and one just got there a milli-second earlier than the other. Whereas Ben Johnson was never really going for the ball, and while I doubt he wanted to put Bell on a stretcher, his actions were very reckless and dangerous.

[CHAMP 347]

It's hard to see how hard Carroll's knee hits Bell, but that shouldn't really matter.

There is enough vision there to put Johnson away for at least 4.

It doesn't, the impact is with the flesh of Carroll's thigh in the mid-quadriceps area and moreover he is moving the leg backwards, lessening it's severity.