Review Walyacup win the battle of the port. It’s Murphy’s world, and we’re all living in it .

[Taylor]

If I were the match review officer I'd charge Pearce and let the tribunal hearing deal with it. Big corps are all about handballing responsibility along the chain but with how things went week before last Kane will be denying Pearce was even at the ground soon enough.

 

[Taylor]

This is the risk of a send off rule by the way. Even if they send the footage up to the bunker for the goal assessment, they have to take a stand on head injury so they'll play it safe in terms of AFL public relations and ping the player with eyes on the ball

 

[DocT]

Assuming we lose the appeal, and there has been no evidence to suggest we would win an appeal over the last however many years, I feel the Pearce situation needs an explanation from Laura Kane or someone high up in the AFL. I'm sure we'll be provided with a glib statement about duty of care, but I would like to see exactly what is expected of players and when with a frame by frame analysis suggesting what Pearce should have done whilst also legally contesting the ball

I think the only option is to extend your arms in a buffering position BUT you risk snapping your wrist and we are talking about 0.2s in real time so I'm really just spouting armchair BS.

I kinda think that we do need to send a message to all players to avoid concussion. I like the comment I read about the risk you take when running with the flight of the ball. Is everyone else supposed to stand back and applaud?????

I guess if he got a week it sends the 'protect the head' message while acknowledging the complexity of this situation. If anyone was careless it was DBJ, not Pearce. No criticism of DBJ there, great player, real courage, I hope he is 100%.

 

[CapitalA]

I thought Alex Pearce had eyes on the ball the whole way

Nah now they slow down the last 0.2 seconds to a whole 5 seconds where you can see him take his eyes off the ball, and then say that it is real time. Then talk about how the player had no duty of care.

 

[EastcoastDocker]

If DBJ marks that ball he's in a brace position clutching the ball to his chest, snugged up. It's coz he dropped it too that he was completely opened up.

 

[Taylor]

Nah now they slow down the last 0.2 seconds to a whole 5 seconds where you can see him take his eyes off the ball, and then say that it is real time. Then talk about how the player had no duty of care.

Right. And consider why do we think it's brave to run back with the flight of the ball?

Because there won't be a collision?

 

[FreoGirl]

Celebrating the whack on Simpson (on Bounce) was a bit tasteless

 

[Gimme the Fyfe]

Regarding Alex Pearce

25

Alex Pearce

Age

30

Ht

201cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.6

3star

K

5.2

2star

HB

5.4

4star

M

3.4

3star

T

1.8

4star

MG

106.3

2star

No current season stats available

D

11.0

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

6.0

4star

M

4.4

4star

T

0.8

3star

MG

103.2

2star

- the AFL will justify any such incidents and throw the book to create a deterrence.

As much as the AFL are looking after the players, they are protecting themselves from future legal action.

 

[what a game]

I don’t like it and I’m guessing no supporters across the league like our players being rubbed out but rule changes the last few years have led towards this issue because of the court case against the league. Unfortunately I think he gets 3 takes it on the chin like plenty of others before him and a lot after. Until the players association stands up and says no to so many being rubbed out I think it falls into the grey area of it’s the price to pay to play afl. For the record I was taught to take the mark and then take out who was in the road. You come with the flight you better mark it with your knees up

 

[s_wd6]

Regarding Alex Pearce - the AFL will justify any such incidents and throw the book to create a deterrence.

As much as the AFL are looking after the players, they are protecting themselves from future legal action.

Unless of course you play for Carlton and Collingwood.

MRO is ****ed but the least they c can do is hide their blatant favouritism. Has anyone done a deep dive into how many players from each club get suspended and how many them get overturned?

You can’t tell me lawyers are the reason Carlton have had about a dozen overturned in the same time we’ve had zero. They just pick and choose who’s evidence they want to listen to.

 

[gaskin]

As much as the AFL are looking after the players, they are protecting themselves from future legal action.

Which is ridiculous while still allowing knees to the head in a marking contest.

 

[Gimme the Fyfe]

Has anyone done a deep dive into how many players from each club get suspended and how many them get overturned?

I would love to know this.

I asked Grok (AI); 'How many appeals have lead to suspensions being overturned in the AFL with respect to each club?'

There is a long answer but the short answer is this:

------

The data available on AFL appeals leading to suspensions being overturned is limited and doesn't provide a comprehensive count for every club across the league's history. Based on the available information, Melbourne has the most known overturned suspensions with two cases (Viney in 2014, van Rooyen in 2023), followed by Brisbane Lions, GWS Giants, and Collingwood with one each (Cameron in 2024, Bedford in 2024, and Maxwell in 2009, respectively). No other clubs have confirmed overturned suspensions in the sources. For a complete picture, you’d need to consult official AFL Tribunal records or archives, which may be available through afl.com.au or by contacting the AFL directly.

------

I had a look but cannot find the tribunal records, they might not be publicly available.

 

[s_wd6]

I would love to know this.

I asked Grok (AI); 'How many appeals have lead to suspensions being overturned in the AFL with respect to each club?'

There is a long answer but the short answer is this:

------

The data available on AFL appeals leading to suspensions being overturned is limited and doesn't provide a comprehensive count for every club across the league's history. Based on the available information, Melbourne has the most known overturned suspensions with two cases (Viney in 2014, van Rooyen in 2023), followed by Brisbane Lions, GWS Giants, and Collingwood with one each (Cameron in 2024, Bedford in 2024, and Maxwell in 2009, respectively). No other clubs have confirmed overturned suspensions in the sources. For a complete picture, you’d need to consult official AFL Tribunal records or archives, which may be available through afl.com.au or by contacting the AFL directly.

------

I had a look but cannot find a the tribunal records, they might not be publicly available.

Yeah not accurate at all. Alreay off the top of my head Carlton have three.

 

[Gimme the Fyfe]

Yeah not accurate at all. Alreay off the top of my head Carlton have three.

It doesn't sound right, I agree. I remember hearing many more being overturned over the years.

 

[s_wd6]

It doesn't sound right, I agree. I remember hearing many more being overturned over the years.

I saw a tweet not long ago that had at least half a dozen but can't find it.

Was framed under the narrative of "Collingwood guy runs the MRP so suspends Carlton players for acts that shouldnt be suspended because he's bias" lmao

 

[samFFC]

I would love to know this.

I asked Grok (AI); 'How many appeals have lead to suspensions being overturned in the AFL with respect to each club?'

There is a long answer but the short answer is this:

------

The data available on AFL appeals leading to suspensions being overturned is limited and doesn't provide a comprehensive count for every club across the league's history. Based on the available information, Melbourne has the most known overturned suspensions with two cases (Viney in 2014, van Rooyen in 2023), followed by Brisbane Lions, GWS Giants, and Collingwood with one each (Cameron in 2024, Bedford in 2024, and Maxwell in 2009, respectively). No other clubs have confirmed overturned suspensions in the sources. For a complete picture, you’d need to consult official AFL Tribunal records or archives, which may be available through afl.com.au or by contacting the AFL directly.

------

I had a look but cannot find the tribunal records, they might not be publicly available.

Maynard !

Let me chat to my mate GPT.

 

[samFFC]

Maynard !

Let me chat to my mate GPT.

Certainly! Here’s an updated list of AFL Tribunal cases since 2014 where players successfully appealed suspensions, resulting in either the overturning or downgrading of their penalties:

Successful AFL Tribunal Appeals (2014–2025)

• 2014: Jack Viney (Melbourne) – Two-match suspension for rough conduct overturned on appeal.
• 2017: Trent Cotchin (Richmond) – Avoided suspension for a high hit on Dylan Shiel during the preliminary final, allowing him to play in the Grand Final.
• 2022: Patrick Cripps (Carlton) – Two-match suspension for rough conduct overturned on appeal.
• 2023: Brayden Maynard (Collingwood) – Cleared of rough conduct charge by the Tribunal; AFL did not appeal.
• 2024:
  • Charlie Cameron (Brisbane Lions) – Three-match suspension for rough conduct overturned on appeal.
  • Toby Bedford (GWS Giants) – Three-match suspension for rough conduct overturned on appeal.
  • Bodhi Uwland (Gold Coast Suns) – Suspension overturned on appeal.
  • Jordan Boyd (Carlton) – One-match suspension for forceful front-on contact downgraded to a fine after appeal.
• 
  
• 2025:
  • Adam Cerra (Carlton) – One-match suspension for striking downgraded to a fine after appeal.

These cases highlight instances where players successfully appealed suspensions or were cleared by the Tribunal, allowing them to continue playing without serving bans. If you’re interested in more detailed information or specific cases, feel free to ask!

 

[samFFC]

Certainly! Here’s a list of notable AFL Tribunal appeals from the past few years where clubs or players challenged suspensions but were unsuccessful:
Unsuccessful AFL Tribunal Appeals (2023–2025)


2023

• Isaac Heeney (Sydney Swans)
  Heeney’s one-match suspension for striking was upheld by the AFL Appeal Board, rendering him ineligible for the Brownlow Medal.
• Luke Parker (Sydney Swans)
  Parker’s six-match suspension for rough conduct in the VFL was upheld after the Swans’ appeal failed.

2024

• Charlie Cameron (Brisbane Lions)
  Cameron initially failed to overturn a three-match suspension for a dangerous tackle at the Tribunal. However, upon further appeal, the suspension was overturned.
• Toby Bedford (GWS Giants)
  Bedford’s three-match suspension for a dangerous tackle was upheld by the Tribunal.
• Paul Curtis (North Melbourne)
  Curtis failed to overturn a three-match suspension for a dangerous tackle at the Tribunal.

2025

• Patrick Voss (Fremantle Dockers)
  Voss’s three-match suspension for striking was upheld by the Tribunal.
• Rhyan Mansell (Richmond Tigers)
  Mansell’s three-match suspension for rough conduct was upheld by the Tribunal.
• Jackson Archer (North Melbourne)
  Archer’s three-match suspension for rough conduct was upheld by the Tribunal.

These cases highlight the challenges players and clubs face when appealing Tribunal decisions, with several high-profile appeals being unsuccessful in recent years.


If you’re interested in more detailed information on any of these cases or others, feel free to ask!

 

[oldgoat]

I don't think you should be suspended when you are going for the ball, looking only at the ball and make incidental contact - no matter how bad the contact looked or what the outcome is.

I don't think there is a duty of care for the guy coming chest out at the ball to surrender the contest to the guy going back with the flight.

I don't like that they will slow down the footage to a crawl to make it seem like Pearce had time to pull out, but they will.

"Going back with the flight of the ball" is, by definition, careless behaviour!
Bravely foregoing care for yourself cannot mean others become totally responsible for your safety!
Pearce has an equal right to contest the ball.
"What else was he supposed to do?"

 

[oldgoat]

I think the only option is to extend your arms in a buffering position BUT you risk snapping your wrist and we are talking about 0.2s in real time so I'm really just spouting armchair BS.

I kinda think that we do need to send a message to all players to avoid concussion. I like the comment I read about the risk you take when running with the flight of the ball. Is everyone else supposed to stand back and applaud?????

I guess if he got a week it sends the 'protect the head' message while acknowledging the complexity of this situation. If anyone was careless it was DBJ, not Pearce. No criticism of DBJ there, great player, real courage, I hope he is 100%.

Just so!
JL nailed the dialemna post match!
Still no answer to his question...
"What was he supposed to do?"
Players cannot be rewarded with frees for playing without regard for their own safety.
They must, of course, always be protected from illegal acts!
No illegal act here.

 

[oldgoat]

Which is ridiculous while still allowing knees to the head in a marking contest.

Does anyone seriously think that penalising strikes to the head in a a marking contest would be the end of "the high mark"?
Penalising dangerous ACTIONS is the only way to reduce tragic OUTCOMES.

 

[Stinky Lomax]

I’ve read some comments that Pearce should have kept his eyes on the ball all the way & he would be fine.

Despite that being ridiculously crazy as no one would do that in that situation & if he did somehow ignore the player coming at him & concentrate purely on the ball there would be 2 players laying on the ground knocked out cold.

The fact that they expect no self preservation in a situation like that is unfair & unrealistic. The only outcome where no one gets hurt is for Pearce to stop short completely & be labelled a coward.

 

[Madas]

Appeal and appeal hard Freo. Pearce was marking the footy. Not his fault old mate got in his way.

Freo Tax

 

[Madas]

Celebrating the whack on Simpson (on Bounce) was a bit tasteless

I turn those idiots off
Can’t stand them

 

[Madas]

I’ve read some comments that Pearce should have kept his eyes on the ball all the way & he would be fine.

Despite that being ridiculously crazy as no one would do that in that situation & if he did somehow ignore the player coming at him & concentrate purely on the ball there would be 2 players laying on the ground knocked out cold.

The fact that they expect no self preservation in a situation like that is unfair & unrealistic. The only outcome where no one gets hurt is for Pearce to stop short completely & be labelled a coward.

They’ve just completely f*d this one up

So if that is 3 weeks then does , leaving the ground , raising the elbow , connecting with the head and causing concussion all while having no eyes for the ball now become 6-8 weeks?