Maynard cleared by tribunal for Brayshaw collision

[Corn Cobbers]

THE AFL has opted against appealing the Tribunal's decision in the Brayden Maynard case, meaning the Collingwood defender is in the clear to play in the Magpies' preliminary final.

AFL ponders rule change after Maynard Tribunal call

The Brayden Maynard saga is officially over after the AFL opted not to appeal the Tribunal's decision

www.afl.com.au

The AFL, having brought the charge against Maynard, said on Wednesday that it would not challenge the Tribunal's ruling, but would comment further later in the day.

"The AFL has confirmed that after careful consideration and review of the Tribunal's decision and reasons following last night's hearing into the incident involving Collingwood's Brayden Maynard and Melbourne's Angus Brayshaw, the AFL has decided not to appeal the Tribunal's decision," a statement read.

"Per the Tribunal Guidelines the AFL had to make this decision by 12:00pm AEST today.

"The AFL will release a further statement later today."

Finally some sanity

 

[kingswood71]

Medically speaking, I'm not sure they can sue them if we don't have a definitive diagnosis for CTE, for when someone's alive. I stand to be corrected, but maybe kingswood71 can provide some info

Not really my area of expertise, is more neuro.
But, CTE can only be formally confirmed on brain samples post mortem. However, CTE related dementia can be diagnosed while living.
The issue for sports like the AFL generally, is that CTE doesnt have to be related to just concussions. It can happen from repeated subconcussive events, where the brain is shaken causing micro trauma, despite no overt signs of concussion.

 

[Mr Lizard]

You can...punch em in the head spoiling a mark, all above board.

Nah, you might miss a grand final if you do that.

 

[ChristianBoy]

Gone.

 

[sr36]

Mansell was entitled to make forceful contact with Aish as the ball was first in dispute and then for a split second Aish was in possession. Maynard had no such entitlement because Brayshaw had clearly disposed of the ball before the contact took place. Mansell had a duty of care to Aish to do all he could reasonably do to not make contact with Aish's head. It is debatable whether Mansell exercised that duty of care. The Tribunal thought he did not. As you know I disagreed with them.

In the Maynard case that element does not even seem debatable, there is no evidence whatsoever that he took any action to reduce the likelihood of contacting Brayshaw's head. It only exacerbates Maynard's guilt that Brayshaw had already disposed of the ball, meaning Maynard has not entitlement to make forceful contact at all, let alone to the head.

So unless it is deemed to be Brayshaw who caused the collision to occur, Maynard should be suspended for at least the 3 weeks Mansell was issued.

The he shouldn't have braced argument is bollocks. The purpose of these suspensions is to discourage certain actions and encourage other actions. It's not about revenge for a concussion. You shouldn't have braced would be telling players that they should stay wide open and considering he's rotating forward, go head first into collisions. If anyone thinks that what players should do in that situation they've lost their mind.

Launching for the smother in the kickers direction is the only possible action to discourage. It's the only potential case to answer.

 

[Captivating]

Very clear analysis of situation that will rub Maynard out for 1-2 weeks.

In a club match simulation would he have ROLLED HIS SHOULDER IN AND HIT HIS TEAM MATE IN THE HEAD or ARMS DOWN ON SHOULDERS OR ROLL TO OTHER SIDE to protect HIS TEAM MATE. nah, thug act = no more finals. Bye bye

If he was intent on hitting Brayshaw, he would have rolled to his left as Maynard is left handed and that would be his dominant side.

He was rolling to his non-dominant side, which is what you do to limit impact.

 

[sr36]

To me, this looks like Brayshaw kicks the ball. I'm not seeing these last steps where he runs off his line that you speak of.

He's running straight about to kick. For some reason he's off balance when he kicks with his body weight to the right. Thus right foot would come down further to the right and then upper body is leaning heavily to the right at impact. All of this happens when Bruzzy is in the air with no control on landing spot. Straighten him up and Bruzzy misses him.

 

[HairyO]

So the other option would be to have open arms and still likely concuss Brayshaw and injure himself and still get suspended.

How is that a better outcome?

Players use their hands dozens of times a game to reduce the impact of their bodies colliding.

Can you point to one this year of these where they inadvertently concussed the other player?

Or, find 3 over the last 10 years?

I bet I could find a few more where body contact to a player's head caused damage.

Want to take that bet?

 

[LionsOrDieTrion]

I originally at the time thought he would get off and it wasn’t malicious. I think he meant to hurt. I think the most natural thing in Maynard’s position in the air would be to put your arms out relatively straight and sort of push into Brayshaw. He went the bump to hurt I’m pretty sure of it.

 

[WeaponX]

I don't know if this has been mentioned as this thread is huge now, I watched the incident last night on the telly and one thing that stood out to me was Brayshaw had his feet on the ground and could of easily maneuvered away from contact but just let Maynard hit him. Surely Brayshaw knowing his vulnerability to head knocks should of tried to minimize contact with a player who was in the air??? No culpability and in no way am I condoning the knock but surely Brayshaw protects himself more right ?

 

[BF Tiger]

What about both players getting knocked out in a head clash? Where does that sit in the preference list?

If the AFL haven't got clubs to already train players with preventative action in a collision, then they're miles behind where they should be and if they're training involves hold that superman pose when you're hurtling at someone, then they're out of their minds.

Least preferable obviously. And in this instance least likely given the position of Maynard’s head above the impact zone.

 

[FAIRANDBALANCED]

He's running straight about to kick. For some reason he's off balance when he kicks with his body weight to the right. Thus right foot would come down further to the right and then upper body is leaning heavily to the right at impact. All of this happens when Bruzzy is in the air with no control on landing spot. Straighten him up and Bruzzy misses him.

Those stills highlight Maynard's defence completely. Brayshaw comes off his kick to the right and moves a good half metre into Maynard's path, a path Maynard cannot alter as he is already airborne.

Not a blame on Brayshaw at all, but he moves into Maynard's path, not vice versa and those stills show it.

 

[Mr Lizard]

He's running straight about to kick. For some reason he's off balance when he kicks with his body weight to the right. Thus right foot would come down further to the right and then upper body is leaning heavily to the right at impact. All of this happens when Bruzzy is in the air with no control on landing spot. Straighten him up and Bruzzy misses him.

He kicks the ball ffs. He is running down the ground and kicks the ball.

Left foot planted, airborne, lands right foot. A pure football action.

He isn't running on a perfectly straight line down the ground, nor does he have to be.

He doesn't keep both his feet on your imaginary line, nor does he have to.

He kicks the ball.

The moment he lands:

Maynard was always going to make contact here. Maynard is moving towards the centre of the ground, towards Brayshaw.

Brayshaw does no contortions, does not move in some random unexpected way. He kicks the ball.

 

[Roby]

I originally at the time thought he would get off and it wasn’t malicious. I think he meant to hurt. I think the most natural thing in Maynard’s position in the air would be to put your arms out relatively straight and sort of push into Brayshaw. He went the bump to hurt I’m pretty sure of it.

So whack him in the face with your hand, then shove his cranium into the turf as he falls down? Yes that would be much better

Brayshaw headbutted a Pies player 2 mins earlier. Avoiding high con5 is not good forte.

 

[HairyO]

He kicks the ball ffs. He is running down the ground and kicks the ball.

Left foot planted, airborne, lands right foot. A pure football action.

He isn't running on a perfectly straight line down the ground, nor does he have to be.

He doesn't keep both his feet on your imaginary line, nor does he have to.

He kicks the ball.

The moment he lands:
View attachment 1799682
Maynard was always going to make contact here. Maynard is moving towards the centre of the ground, towards Brayshaw.

Brayshaw does no contortions, does not move in some random unexpected way. He kicks the ball.

They are now resorting to victim blaming having realised that Maynard could very easily have used his hands to reduce the impact with Brayshaw, just like he used his hands to reduce his impact when he hit the ground.

If he had crashed into the ground like he did Brayshaw then he may have the "no other option" excuse.

Except he very clearly had other options.

 

[Angus Young]

you cant have a contact game and not expect accidents to happen.

this is god dam ridiculous

 

[HairyO]

So whack him in the face with your hand, then shove his cranium into the turf as he falls down? Yes that would be much better

Why would he need to hit his head?

2 shoulders for 2 hands makes sense to me.

Brayshaw was out before he hit the ground. If he also had his 2 hands free, having not been knocked out, he too could have lessened the impact.

Can you point to any times in the last 10 years where a player has made contact with another player's shoulders with their hands and then knocked them out, or even just concussed them?

I will then find 10 examples of body contact to the head for every one of yours.

I reckon you will need hours and I will need 5 minutes.

 

[Roby]

They are now resorting to victim blaming having realised that Maynard could very easily have used his hands to reduce the impact with Brayshaw, just like he used his hands to reduce his impact when he hit the ground.

If he had crashed into the ground like he did Brayshaw then he may have the "no other option" excuse.

Except he very clearly had other options.

Yes, like hurt him more. See my post above


Hawks supporters crying foul, since they want retribution for Sicily, still crying about it last week.

 

[Roby]

Why would he need to hit his head?

2 shoulders for 2 hands makes sense to me.

Brayshaw was out before he hit the ground. If he also had his 2 hands free, having not been knocked out, he too could have lessened the impact.

Can you point to any times in the last 10 years where a player has made contact with another player's shoulders with their hands and then knocked them out, or even just concussed them?

I will then find 10 examples of body contact to the head for every one of yours.

I reckon you will need hours and I will need 5 minutes.

So apart from the obvious injuries, sticking out your hand in someone's face could cause an eye or nose injuries.

Maynard could also fracture his hand or fingers, strains to ligaments or tendons, to his hands or wrists.

 

[pebblesofsand]

Jeez - a lot of people posting here have a very poor understanding of the meaning of the word "accidental".

It means - "happening by chance, unintentionally, or unexpectedly".

As soon as Maynard jumped, the high contact with Brayshaw was no longer "accidental", it was inevitable.

Definitely three weeks.

 

[Nebular]

If this was Dangerfield he would get off.

 

[Saint]

So are people defending Maynard saying that there's no duty of care as long as you jump?

Is that what this argument boils down to?

The problem wasn't the jump, the issue isn't whether jumping is part of football or not.

The issue is how Maynard CHOSE to impact Brayshaw. He had the duty of care to not make contact with the head and he definitely chose to drop the shoulder into his head. It couldn't be much more clear cut.

I'm sure he regrets it, but he did it and he has to do the time (Brayshaw is doing the time, possibly the rest of his life). If the AFL say this is "just part of the game" then I guess at least Brayshaw will get a nice big settlement from them eventually and the game will be ruined.

If players can't be trusted not to knock each other out, we won't have a contact sport any more.

 

[RAPPA]

Would his approach to the collision have been different if it was a teammate? Curious as to whether the tribunal will apply a comparator argument.

 

[VicBased]

I don't know if this has been mentioned as this thread is huge now, I watched the incident last night on the telly and one thing that stood out to me was Brayshaw had his feet on the ground and could of easily maneuvered away from contact but just let Maynard hit him. Surely Brayshaw knowing his vulnerability to head knocks should of tried to minimize contact with a player who was in the air??? No culpability and in no way am I condoning the knock but surely Brayshaw protects himself more right ?

What I saw was after he disposed of the ball he looked up and saw Maynard coming down on him.
He then shat himself knowing he was going to get pulverised , there was no time for anything else.

 

[Caligo]

Would his approach to the collision have been different if it was a teammate? Curious as to whether the tribunal will apply a comparator argument.

Excellent point! I do think, at least in part, this could never happen with a team mate because nobody has ever attempted to block the kick of a team mate before. Nonetheless, has the tribunal ever used that argument? I wonder how it might work.

 

[Saint]

Excellent point! I do think, at least in part, this could never happen with a team mate because nobody has ever attempted to block the kick of a team mate before. Nonetheless, has the tribunal ever used that argument? I wonder how it might work.

Nobody has ever driven their shoulder deliberately through a team-mates' head before.

The problem isn't that there was incidental contact, it's that Maynard led into it with his shoulder directly into Brayshaw's head.

There's plenty of incidental head-contacts in tackles which have cut teammates open or knocked them out. None of them the teammate chose to lead into a team-mate with their head (or shoulder or elbow).