MRP / Trib. AFL Round 18 findings - Scott Thompson's hit on Johnson at the opening bounce

[MC Extra Dollop]

Gee Macca reckless is probably the best he could hope for, the charge I reckon will be intentional,going on the video above.

They hardly ever call something intentional. I can see a reflexive aspect to Thompson's movement, just to protect himself from the impact. It pretty much has to be a Hall on Staker hit, or a whack in the guts a hundred metres off the ball to be considered intentional.

 

[yogogorilla41]

Far worse than the ziebel, late and had a choice, no ball involved. He choose to hit rather than take the contact. forearm high contact and damage. He is in trouble. All be it relatively accidental the MRP have set a precedent that it does not matter if you are going the ball or not. High contact to another player whether it causes damage or not, is being stamped out. Whether or not i agree is not the point which a lot of the posters are missing. I agree that their is no intent to kill him by Thompson but he had more choice than ziebel did.

 

[vinum coupe]

Nothing in it.
Unlucky.

 

[Scottland2007]

Seen it a few times. Thompson seems to look at Johno then look away as he hits him with his shoulder to the jaw. He then raises the elbow. He is in trouble in my opinion. Will get anything from a life ban to a Brownlow.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

This is the thing I don't get: It's obviously going to be looked at, it's obviously not insufficient force and it's obviously high contact with a raised elbow. So how could anyone say there's nothing in it? Nothing against Scott Thompson (it would be great for my SC if he doesn't get rubbed out), but how can the 'nothing in it' argument be justified?

 

[Bell Ringer]

This is the thing I don't get: It's obviously going to be looked at, it's obviously not insufficient force and it's obviously high contact with a raised elbow. So how could anyone say there's nothing in it? Nothing against Scott Thompson (it would be great for my SC if he doesn't get rubbed out), but how can the 'nothing in it' argument be justified?

If the MRP deem he had "no reasonable alternative" there's nothing in it.

If they reckon he could have done something differently he'd probs get neg, high, high and get a ridiculous number of weeks.

 

[yogogorilla41]

Well this is my point - What else could ziebel honestly have done? Ball was closer in play as well. He has to go other wise the MRP needs to be thrown out and previous decisions protested.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

If the MRP deem he had "no reasonable alternative" there's nothing in it.

The elbow was raised. I do have a lot of sympathy for him if he does go, but he clearly had the alternative to initiate contact while keeping his elbow tucked in.

 

[Bell Ringer]

Well this is my point - What else could ziebel honestly have done? Ball was closer in play as well. He has to go other wise the MRP needs to be thrown out and previous decisions protested.

I can think of 2.
Ziebell could have extended his arms and punched the ball.
Ziebell could have spear-tackled Joseph à la Goldberg.
If the MRP can think of something Thompson could have done differently he'll probs be in trouble.

 

[yogogorilla41]

I can think of 2.
Ziebell could have extended his arms and punched the ball.
Ziebell could have spear-tackled Joseph à la Goldberg.
If the MRP can think of something Thompson could have done differently he'll probs be in trouble.

Watch them side by side. Ziebel jumped for the ball and noticed a player was coming the opposite way he didnt even brace himself barely compared to Thompson. In normal motion both incidents are similar as in you really think "what else could he have done?". Im not arguing intent, but im stating the MRP have set a dangerous precedent and need to be consistent other wise its a farce and joke of a system.

 

[vealesy]

The elbow was raised. I do have a lot of sympathy for him if he does go, but he clearly had the alternative to initiate contact while keeping his elbow tucked in.

U srs?

He clearly did not elbow johnson.

 

[David the Cat]

The Zieball decision was the worst I have seen for a very long time. Atrocious penalty and one that will haunt the MRP for sometime.

They are, as a result, between a rock and a hard place now. No one...including the players and coaches, have any idea now about contact...

What Scotland wrote above is unfortunately a fair assessment of Thompson's position.

 

[vinum coupe]

The elbow was raised. I do have a lot of sympathy for him if he does go, but he clearly had the alternative to initiate contact while keeping his elbow tucked in.

Zero elbow. Not sure what you are looking at.

 

[Catswin12]

Should get 2 weeks..maybe 3. Dirty act. Obviously going for the man and targeted SJ..

 

[Scottland2007]

The Zieball decision was the worst I have seen for a very long time. Atrocious penalty and one that will haunt the MRP for sometime.

They are, as a result, between a rock and a hard place now. No one...including the players and coaches, have any idea now about contact...

What Scotland wrote above is unfortunately a fair assessment of Thompson's position.

Your my favourite on here David.

 

[Catswin12]

Some people in here clearly haven't been watching the game for the past few years.

If you elect to bump someone and make contact with the head then you are held liable for your actions.

Correct..

 

[David the Cat]

Your my favourite on here David.

Thanks Mum

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

U srs?

He clearly did not elbow johnson.

I never said he did, although connecting with the elbow, compared with connecting with the upper arm really doesn't matter. The point is his elbow was raised. Like a soccer player going in with his studs up, it's the action that is frowned upon, not necessarily what made the contact, as the inference is that there is an intention to hurt. He tucks his elbow in and he probably makes chest-to-chest, shoulder-to-chest or (at worst) shoulder-to-chin contact. Any of those could be easily condoned by the MRP.

 

[you pick one]

Seen it a few times. Thompson seems to look at Johno then look away as he hits him with his shoulder to the jaw. He then raises the elbow. He is in trouble in my opinion. Will get anything from a life ban to a Brownlow.

Be carefull of the plagiarism laws.

 

[Scottland2007]

Be carefull of the plagiarism laws.

Sorry, knew it was to good to have come from my brain.

 

[fpm84]

Just saw the replay for the first time. It was definitely accidental contact but Thompson raised his elbow (most likely as a reflex) and clearly caught SJ high. That fact alone means he'll be very lucky to not be charged.

I'm not that familiar with MRP ruling.. So if it's judged accidental contact (not negligent or reckless), but also high contact and medium impact (given SJ couldn't play on), what sort of penalty is he looking at?

 

[JUBJUB]

Zero elbow. Not sure what you are looking at.

The elbow does come up but it's after the contact

 

[you pick one]

Sorry, new it was to good to have come from my brain.

Not mine either, but I had it stored in the memory bank to use down the track.Just pissed you got in before be.

 

[TheRoo32]

When ever you bump something the elbow always comes up AFTER the contact is made as a reflex due to the momentum. There was no elbow involved. Sj ran into his shoulder and the injury was his head hitting the ground. Nothing Thomo could've done and all of you saying it was deliberate are flogs of the highest order!

 

[The rabbi]

I don't think there was much malice in it to be honest.. Problem is no one knows what the MRP will do at any given time.. So who knows what will happen, he is just as likely to not get sighted as he is to get 2 weeks

That about sums the MRP up.