Port Adelaide is hopeful captain Tom Jonas will avoid a suspension for a head-high bump, with coach Ken Hinkley calling the act “instinctive” and “accidental”.
The incident occurred late in the first half of Port’s 40-point win over the West Coast Eagles, when Jonas took out Eagles youngster Jai Culley as Culley kicked the ball.
The brutal blow left Culley with a bruise near his left eye socket, but he was able to play out the remainder of the game after passing the concussion test, kicking a team-high four goals.
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While Culley was able to return, Jonas could still attract the scrutiny of the match review officer due to the AFL’s potential to cause injury clause.
Hinkley argued that it was an act that did not require an additional penalty.
”From ground level, which I was at again today, I saw a head clash which is an unfortunate part of the game,” he said.
“That was an instinctive action.
“It was just a collision that happens in games of football, but there is some risk with that because we’ve seen what’s going on.
“On the incident, we should pass on the message that the player stayed on the ground and got through the whole game.
“I think that’s really important to remember too with accidental head clashes.”
Port will be hopeful that the MRO will show Jonas some mercy after Fremantle star Andrew Brayshaw avoided a ban despite leaving Bulldogs star Tom Liberatore concussed with a bump.
Despite the impact of the bump on Liberatore, the AFL’s MRO, Michael Christian, deemed that the contact made by Brayshaw was “reasonable” and said it was “caused by circumstances out the control” of the Fremantle star.
“The ball bounces out of a stoppage away from Fremantle’s Michael Walters and Liberatore, and towards Brayshaw,” Christian explained via the AFL.
“As both Brayshaw and Liberatore approach the ball, Walters applies considerable pressure to Liberatore’s back as Brayshaw lowers to contest the ball and high contact is made.
“It is the view of the MRO that it was reasonable for Brayshaw to contest the ball in the way that he did and that contact was caused by circumstances outside the control of Brayshaw. No further action was taken.”
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