A pair of incidents during Brisbane’s Thursday night win over Collingwood are set to attract scrutiny from Match Review Officer Michael Christian.
Lions defender Darcy Gardiner was slammed for an ugly cheap shot on Magpie Josh Daicos, placed on report after launching into his back well after a mark and conceding a 50m penalty.
The incident was described as ‘pretty crude’ by former great Gerard Healy after the game.
“This was just pretty crude… because it’s a whiplash effect and has the potential to cause injury,” Healy said on Fox Footy’s First Crack.
“I think he’s in a bit of strife.”
Also in hot water is Collingwood veteran Mason Cox, who collided mid-air with Lion Brandon Starcevich to concede a free kick.
Cox arrived late to the contest and didn’t appear to make a genuine attempt to mark the ball, driving a knee into the unsuspecting Starcevich’s back to boot.
Speaking after the game, former great Jason Dunstall said both players could consider a one-match suspension a fair whack.
“Truth be told, I’d be happy for both of those players to be rubbed out – itwouldn’t bother me one bit,” he said.
“Because that’s the sort of contact we want to avoid.
“The Gardiner one… if he wanted to make contact, go and do a late spoil, but don’t turn side on and jump into his back like that.
“And the Cox one looks really bad when you look at the replay, doesn’t it?”
However, reporter Jon Ralph believes a fine is the more likely sanction for both Gardiner and Cox, given neither Daicos nor Starcevich were left seriously injured.
“Late hits are almost always seen as careless rather than intentional,” Ralph said of Gardiner’s incident at half time on Fox Footy.
“He [Gardiner] hits Daicos in the back rather than the head or the neck. So even if that’s medium impact, it’s still only a fine.”
Speaking post-match, Ralph offered a similar case for Cox.
“As you see with his [Cox’s] arms, he never really gets up and tries and contest, he still follows through with his knee,” he said.
“We know the damage it can cause, so probably more likely a fine than a suspension, but that’s not a great look for Mason.”
‘No presence’: American Pie slammed after quiet return
Even if he avoids suspension, Cox’s remarkable AFL career may soon be at an end, according to Fox Footy analyst David King.
Recalled to the team for the Pies’ clash with the Lions as one of six players 198cm or taller, Cox was unable to assert himself on the match, finishing with just four disposals, taking two marks and finishing goalless.
Speaking after the match, King was scathing of Cox’s effort, saying the American had ‘no presence’ in attacking 50.
“I’m wondering what the function is that Mason Cox plays for the Pies. Because there’s just no influence,” he said.
“He’s 31 years of age – the experiment has run its course. 78 games he’s played… he hasn’t shifted a game or shifted a course of a game for a long time.
“They’ve gone really tall tonight, they’ve got two ruckmen already; do they need Mason Cox down there?
“I think the guy has no presence, no influence forward of centre.”
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Retired St Kilda great Leigh Montagna agreed, saying the emergence of recruit Nathan Kreuger (two goals) and looming return of Brody Mihocek from the AFL’s health and safety protocols could see Cox on the outer for the Pies’ ANZAC Day clash with Essendon.
“I think we’ve seen enough of Kreuger now that he can play, and Darcy Cameron can certainly hold his own,” Montagna said.
“They get Mihocek back… I don’t think there’s room anymore for Mason Cox.
“This list has still got a fair bit of work to do with what it’s going to look like in this future, and maybe they’ve got to give more young talent some opportunities.”
Magpies coach Craig McRae admitted after the game the Pies’ taller forward structure ‘probably didn’t work’ as intended, flagging changes to the team to take on the Bombers in ten days’ time.
“It’s a work in progress,” McRae said of his forward line.
“It hasn’t looked the same for three weeks now. [Forward coach] Hayden Skipworth is doing an awesome job for us, trying to glue it together.
“We’re trying a few different things… we’re going to continue to work.”
Giant blow with half-back to miss clash with Melbourne
GWS half-back Isaac Cumming has been scratched from the Giants’ team to take on reigning premiers Melbourne, with the defender entering the AFL’s health and safety protocols.
Cumming, who broke out in 2021 to become one of the AFL’s brightest young rebounding backmen, has been replaced in the team by Xavier O’Halloran, who had previously been dropped.
It leaves the Giants dangerously undermanned to take on the Demons, the last remaining undefeated side for the season.
Ruckman Braydon Preuss will miss with suspension, while Toby Greene’s return from his infamous umpire-touching ban remains a week away.
However, exciting number three draft pick Finn Callaghan will make his AFL debut, after a dominant few games in the Giants’ VFL team.