AFL FANS ASSOCIATION (AFLFA): “GIVING FOOTY FANS A VOICE”

Fans already disillusioned with the direction of AFL football have reacted with disbelief after Melbourne’s Jack Viney was last night handed a two-match suspension for what most thought was a fair contest.

Talkback radio and the AFL Fans Association Facebook page were inundated by angry fans arguing that such decisions were sanitising and even ruining our great game.

“Jack Viney was going for the ball and used his body to ensure he wasn’t hurt in the contest,” Brian says. “In the process he inadvertently bumped his opponent. There was nothing in it. This decision tears at the very fabric of our once great game.”

The AFL Tribunal last night found Viney guilty of rough conduct in the incident, which saw Adelaide’s Tom Lynch suffer a broken jaw. Viney was found to have bumped in a three-way collision when he had other options.

Wayne Henwood, Wayne Schimmelbusch and Emmett Dunne took 19 minutes to find Viney guilty, classifying the incident as negligent conduct, high contact and medium impact. He received a compromised total of 200 demerit points and a two-match ban.

The incident happened during Saturday’s Adelaide Oval game as Lynch and Viney moved towards a contested ball from opposite directions. Marginally beaten to the ball, Viney made contact to Lynch’s neck in a collision he said could not be avoided, given the speed at which he was travelling.

“Many fans are outraged that it appears you can no longer make contact in a contact sport,” Brian said. “Football is already being umpired to within an inch of its life. Decisions like this will sanitise the game even further. For some fans it could be the final straw.”

The fans speak on www.facebook.com/aflfans.
“It’s not the end of the bump, it’s the end of the game as we know it.” Ben Kersten.
“It’s the end of our game.” Hayden Fisher.
“Rule changes are a real issue. Not the price of food at a private venue.” Jake Zanoni.
“We may as well give the footballers netball skirts.” Jenny Davenport.
“What could he do. Wrong decision afl. Stop wrecking OUR game.” Shaun McDonough.
“Disgusting! The game is changing for all the wrong reasons. Was a tough game played by tough men. What next? Not allowed tackle as it may hurt someone. MRP needs to go.” Scott Thompson.
“It’s a contact sport Ted Whitten would be turning in his grave.” Greg Christie.
“Disgusting decision. AFL lost its essence the moment the lawyers got involved. It’s almost sad that Gleeson suggested he could have spun out the contest. They are ruining this game.” Mason Atkinson.
“This piece of play is on every highlight reel of past legends … What will these boys be remembered for??? ‘Contact Wing Defence!!!’ Soft!! Yes, I know the other player was injured. It happens in contact sports! It’s supposed to!!!!!!!! Time to buy stocks in cotton wool.” Kerry Kissell.
“Another reason for this being my last year of membership, pathetic decision.” Bob Ritchens.