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Welease van Wooyen!!!

So, we can expect there to be a six oppo players suspended every week for missing the ball and instead smashing Max in the back of the head in a marking contest. Really, such utter rubbish.

Did I tell you about Anderson, he doesn’t win at the Tribunal generally. I am not blaming him of course, as I think he presented a good case. There is something more going on here and as I said in another post it is about litigation. I would think an Appeal gets up and AFL can say we will do everything possible to protect players. How was Fogarty not charged for breaking Murphy‘a nose the week before. To me they have once again gone the non big club, non star player and used him as a PR pawn, to show they are actively doing their best to stamp out head injuries. I am outraged at this blatant PR manipulation affecting a young innocent kid. The AFL should be ashamed of itself. I may boo the AFL at the game this weekend.

Our jumper for the next two weeks should be this one.

It’s very interesting how vocal the media are about how wrong this is. I suspect it’s not over. The media dictated it should be looked at, then said we should go to the tribunal, and now are up in arms. It keeps the AFL in the headlines. Sadly we are all just pawns to content.

If his name is Tom Hawkins he isn’t even charged. Let alone gets 2 weeks. The corruption and utter stupidity of this competition is beyond a joke. If Melbourne folded tomorrow I would never watch another game again.

Where was duty of care when Hawkins threw and elbow back into Mays eye socket, With such force it broken his eye socket bone. Seriously? They have no idea how to apply civil law principles to a sport. It’s just plain dumb, if I tackle someone, is it reasonably foreseeable that they might get injured? Absolutely? Do I breach a duty of care? No, because the act is permitted in the sport. Is the spoil permitted - yes! There is no question that was his intent. So is it within rules, yes! It’s the biggest jog on case of all time! And that’s not hyperbole. It wasn’t even careless. It was a play on the ball.

Nothing to see here

All I can think of is that dude in the video… This is democracy manifest! I was just enjoying a Chinese meal, a succulent Chinese meal… GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY PENIS

This decision will absolutely make no difference to the way the game is played. There will be some media talk, we will point out in outrage identical incidents that result in no report but then the next shiny thing will come along and this will be forgotten by the media and no one else will face a similar report. MFC shafted again.

Spare a quick thought for the kid. A handful of games, now walks away from the tribunal thinking he’s done something wrong. They obviously didn’t believe a word he said otherwise he’d be playing this week. I hope this doesn’t change the way JVR plays. A very disappointing decision.

Do NOT roll ovef Melbourne. This is the moment to grow up. Stop being a doormat Filth wouldn't accept this.... theyd be pushing their media barrows out already.

Van Reeyen is clearly guilty and this is a case of mistaken identity. also - onya Angry Anderson for stating that if he hadn’t tried to spoil, he would not be a reasonable AFL footballer 😂

@WalkingCivilWar reckon the cheer squad need to put this on the other side of the May 200 game celebration banner. “RIP AFL. 1858 - May 9th 2023”

Appeal it on a legal technicality. He was charged with striking and now it is being referred to as a forceful blow. Nearly every action of an AFL player in a contested situation could be a forceful blow. That is why the charge is striking. They are two different actions and the significant distinguishing factor is intent. Your honour, the defence rests!

How confusing for the players. Most marking situations leave the chance or "inevitability of a forceful blow to the head". A glance by the upper arm is a forceful blow, what a precedent, no concussion. Well will there be consistency, and if so, the pack mark is dead. No knees to the head when leaping, no follow through when spoiling. The game has now changed.

For the second year running one of our youngsters has been bitten by the corrupt acting MRO.

For those that want to plan dinner tonight around JVR's hearing. Geelong (Brad Close): 4pm Melbourne (Jacob van Rooyen): 5:15pm Carlton (Nic Newman): 6:30pm Source: Mr Zita from twitter

Hey Red, I have this parking ticket would you chastise me and then mention I'm a good chap?

I had a look back in time to see the last game where Fritsch had such a poor output. Round 21, 2021. Coincidentally, also a game where we were pushed to the line by a team that should have been much weaker, defeating West Coat by 72 to 63. Of course, he then kicked 7 the next week on his way to 20 over the next five weeks, including a handy bag of six which some may recall.

The AFL in this instance have totally [censored] IN THEIR OWN BED GOOD LUCK wih that

Nothing. Easier for the AFL to pick a junior / second year player to send a message to all clubs rather than a high profile player where there’d be far more media interest. Hope the media jumps all over this and not just Slobo

We must appeal for the kids sake. Its his 5th game, he was following instructions from the club on how to impact a contest..ie just doing and playing how he was told. I agree with the above posters, i dont see how contact with the underarm, is striking?

Jeff Gleeson imo has possibly convinced the 2 ex footballers to side with him. We now have the situation where apparently the entire football world, except this Tribunal thought he should never have been even cited. You now can’t spoil , bump, tackle, kick the ball anywhere near another player, as you have a duty of care not to hurt or strike or hit anyone. If this is not overturned the game can’t be played in any way other than by touch footy. Whately and Robbo said it must be appealed for the sake of the game.

7. He clearly tried, and largely succeeded, to minimise the impact and avoid putting Ballard into next week. Exercised exemplary duty of care. No mean feat at all given the speed and direction (ie with the flight of the ball) he was travelling.

A review from a BF poster: K. Brown is a workhorse. His decision making is really good. I love how he values a HB as much as a kick, there aren’t too many that I can confidently say have this mindset. He spent time in the midfield and across HB, but his mid work was strong with 6 clearances. Brown is definitely one that doesn’t get the plaudits he deserves. Dees recruitment staff would be happy with how Brown is progressing. I see him starting as a nippy back pocket like his dad was, but eventually spending time as one of the Dees mids. It doesn’t matter where his selection comes from, he will definitely land a spot on the Dees list.

This is the thing Dubdee. It's really important we do our best to get him off because this is a young guy, still with a little head bobble and not regimented with tonnes of system and protocol yet, playing on gut instincts which has been very refreshing. I also saw a bit of Jonathan Brown in that contest where he really had no right to be in the same post code but gave his absolute all to get to it and still did his best to play it fair. Isn't that what we as fans have always wanted? I would hate if the Tribunal stamp this out of him, he's been a joy to watch with his off the ball efforts and I wouldn't be telling him to alter his game one little bit.

I reckon we could come up with 30 examples of Cotchin, Hawkins, Cripps and other 'name' players that have gotten off way worse incidents than this. What a shocking corrupt organisation the AFL is.

This. JVR was brilliant on the stand tonight based on the info in the feeds. It's an understatement to say we've got a goodun.

I like the strategy of using the AFL’s rules against them. 🤣

The fact that being a MEDIUM forward Fritsch is as consistent as he is, tells you what a gun he is. Anyone suggesting he isn't in the top echelon of forwards in the AFL is drunk.

A new experience Jaded?

Ellis and Fiorini were the closest GC players to the incident and they did not even remonstrate with JVR! So the players on the ground thought there ‘was nothing to see here’ but the MRO and tribunal think slapping him with a two week ban is justice? what am I missing????

Keeping in touch with Demonland, is keeping me away from the Budget speech. All credit to Demonland and Andy, for sorting my priorities!

Just BTW friends - do not be too concerned if deliberations take some time. Does not necessarily mean difficulty arriving at a decision. May mean Tribunal members determined a verdict in 30 seconds and are having a scotch to assist the 'optics'.

Close - no cigar.

Never treat a game as a training run. Quickest way to loss a game.

Presumably the Casey players will have a pretty serious match sim on the weekend, and Salo can start to build some match conditioning. He’s had an extended break (thyroid & knee) and it will take time for him to become match fit. I’m really looking forward to his return, but I doubt it will be before the bye.

Three wins in 12 days is a great effort. Hadn't realised the tight schedule. The club would have been delighted if at the start of the season you said they would win all three.

May is in bad form!!! Fritsch doesn't pressure!!! Our transition sucks!!! All fugazi, we're closing in on the number 1 rating for both offense and defense. As always, in the FD i trust.

I remember years ago, giving character evidence at the Tribunal, for a Demon who punched an opponent in a Reserves GF. I told the Tribunal I was extremely disappointed with his action and that it was totally out of character and that I had made my feelings known to the player before the hearing. The Tribunal said it was going to suspend for 4 games, but because of my strong character evidence, reduced the suspension to 2 games. Pretty good result we all thought.

I'm attending this one in a family Group. Kids and cousins (all Dees supporters) I want my kids early footy memories to be of us beating the Hawks. A bonus would be if we belt them. That would be good for my kids development i reckon. Hopefully instil a sense of disdain in them for that club and their horrible guernsey.

The On The Couch footage was really supportive of our case. He’s within millimetres of punching the ball clear. It’s also worth noting that in a very hot game not one player retaliated, or even said anything to JVR until the play stopped. The players thought it was a football action.

Yes it's weird. Was much better than Langdon on the weekend. Yet pilloried.