It is a joke
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I didn’t see the Gardner one as I was taking a leak just before the end of the quarter, so first I’ve seen it…
Omg, that is laughable..WTF.
Just saw a grab of his answer. Appeal seems likely. He said it’s “perplexing” that the tribunal found intentional contact of a aggressive/disrespectful type, but then only suspended him for three weeks. They wanted 6+. Gil doesn’t tend to go into this stuff very often. But when the CEO of the AFEL is outright saying at a press conference he’s perplexed by the tribunal decision, its short odds for an appeal.
6 weeks is not enough. And remember he only got a fine for eye gouging Bont and slamming his head into the ground while his arms were pinned. The AFL tribunal is an utter farce. I simply don't get it
I am surprised no one said anything about the last 30 seconds of play in the Sydney v GWS game when Toby faked being hit when the reply shows he was barely touched. Umpire gave him the free and good luck, but should be cited for faking. Toby wasted time on the ground as if he was king hit or something. In a 3 point match, it is disgraceful
We probably do not want the distraction but fair dinkum that Gardner fine is a joke. Francis as much ran into him not looking where he is going and all Gardner did was protect his body and push him off. Nothing reckless about that. I think actions like that happens in every game & normally no free kicks let alone reports - Francis has a duty of care to look where he is running.
It still happens many many times a game, but Gardner was unlucky that Francis was truly not expecting it and caught off balance, plus seemed to get some whiplash on Gardner's head. It was an unlucky free kick, nothing more. Can't believe that was a fine but Dev Smith and the Zac Merrett headhunt on Young weren't looked at.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-...port/100422762
This article is a good read and also draws an interesting parallel about the carry on about Our Cody being in itself an example of umpire disrespect.