NO TROLLS Rankine handed a 4 match suspension by the AFL integrity unit for a homophobic slur against opponent

[PenfoldsFan]

ALL players not just JF should have learnt from that incident. They should know there is no excuse, and they were told explicitly that sanctions would increase.

They've all been told not to bump and concuss too but they still do, they get 3 weeks and the next player doesn't get 4 as a result.
Its a flawed set of sanction and needs common sense applied.

 

[PenfoldsFan]

If the AFL applies an outcome based sanction for using any onfield harassment including but not limited to slurs, then it must be fair, equitable, and consistently applied.

The MRO/MRP/Tribunal can struggle with these things at the best of times.

And they've employed Greg Swann to fix the mess, why is this above consideration?

 

[LukeParkerno1]

They've all been told not to bump and concuss too but they still do, they get 3 weeks and the next player doesn't get 4 as a result.
Its a flawed set of sanction and needs common sense applied.

Or here's an idea, players can stop thinking slurs are acceptable. A bump is unlucky whatever that's footy, slurs are not. They need to come down like a ton of bricks on players that do it. 4 weeks suits this offence it's basically the season.

 

[_Mike_]

And they've employed Greg Swann to fix the mess, why is this above consideration?

I dont work for the AFL nor do I have any visibility on how their HR compliance framework operates, so your guess is as good as mine

 

[Rank]

If players wish to play finals they can show an ounce of self respect and stop handing out slurs as so called 'heat of the moment'. Just don't do it and then guess what you won't be suspended. The only fool in this case is Rankine and he's not one we should feel sorry for at all

Aren't you a Swan's fan? Ah right I know

 

[Norwood1878]

For those who care, 5aa is about to drag out Ian Roberts for his opinion

 

[Meteoric Rise]

If players wish to play finals they can show an ounce of self respect and stop handing out slurs as so called 'heat of the moment'. Just don't do it and then guess what you won't be suspended. The only fool in this case is Rankine and he's not one we should feel sorry for at all

I agree Rankine has been foolish.

I agree he could have avoided the instant situation by avoiding the use of an offensive homophobic slur. These things are obvious.

I do not agree that a 4-5 week suspension is the correct level of punishment. It is not in proportion with punishments for other infractions.

Simply put, if I asked you would you rather be coat-hangered and concussed, or suffer from a hurtful and offensive remark that was not even directed at you, which would you prefer?

I am not everyone, but I have been concussed maybe 8 times in my life, mostly by deliberate violence. I have also taken offence to remarks about myself and others, and I am a fairly sensitive person. My very strong preference would be to suffer the latter, not the former, in the event I had to choose between the two. And I think most people if given that choice would choose the same - in fact they would be very foolish not to.

That is what guides my thinking here. The prescribed punishment is simply not in proportion to the punishments for other offences.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Aren't you a Swan's fan? Ah right I know

What's that got to do with it, of all the finals side bar Brisbane you'd be the ones I'd want winning. Who I go for has zero to do with it, I said the same when our player did it, give him 5 weeks and they did.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I agree Rankine has been foolish.

I agree he could have avoided the instant situation by avoiding the use of an offensive homophobic slur.

I do not agree that a 4-5 week suspension is the correct level of punishment. It is not in proportion with other infractions.

Simply put, if I asked you would you rather be coat-hangered and concussed, or suffer from a hurtful and offensive remark that was not even directed at you, which would you prefer?

I am not everyone, but I have been concussed maybe 8 times in my life, mostly by deliberate violence. I have also taken offence to remarks about myself and others, and I am a fairly sensitive person. My very strong preference would be to suffer the latter, not the former, in the even I had to choose between the two. And I think most people if given that choice would choose the same - in fact they would be very foolish not to.

That is what guides my thinking here. The prescribed punishment is simply not in proportion to the punishments for other offences.

I'd much rather the coathanger thanks, I don't think you understand just how hurtful words can be. How about as players we get better and if that means a star player sits out if he says a slur so be it. 4 weeks actually does suit and is reasonable. It gives the Crows a chance for him to be available if they go the long way round (their choice) and it's on par maybe on the lighter side of punishments this season so you won't have other clubs blowing up.

 

[57 Milner]

He should have been the first person, I mean he should have literally done it the moment he left the field. You know when you have said these things, well most people with a brain do and I don't believe Issac is one that doesn't. It comes across as being cornered and saying 'oh bugger I better be seen to be doing something"

Just for context though, in the previously mentioned Jack Graham case, where he was given lenciency, the self reporting was to the club who subsequently reported it the AFL. It would be interesting to learn if there was any prompting for the telephone apology call to Andrew Dillon.

 

[PenfoldsFan]

Or here's an idea, players can stop thinking slurs are acceptable. A bump is unlucky whatever that's footy, slurs are not. They need to come down like a ton of bricks on players that do it. 4 weeks suits this offence it's basically the season.

Some people only learn by their mistakes, which is why its still happening despite JF getting as many weeks as a concussion bump.
People still bump and people will still say shit things, giving IR more weeks because someone did similar prior isnt teaching IR any more than if he got what JF got.
What IR said has no place in the game, but the sanctions still needs fixing.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Just for context though, in the previously mentioned Jack Graham case, where he was given lenciency, the self reporting was to the club who subsequently reported it the AFL. It would be interesting to learn if there was any prompting for the telephone apology call to Andrew Dillon.

It was self reported as the other side and player had no issue with it. Graham took it upon himself to self report and then it obviously went through the channels, got a weeks reduction for being the guy to report it. Rankine would have known there was an issue post game.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Some people only learn by their mistakes, which is why its still happening despite JF getting as many weeks as a concussion bump.
People still bump and people will still say shit things, giving IR more weeks because someone did similar prior isnt teaching IR any more than if he got what JF got.
What IR said has no place in the game, but the sanctions still needs fixing.

It is teaching him something- conduct on the field is not limited to football acts. Do the wrong thing and you'll be dealt with and no one despite the player is above the rules. We need to strive for zero tolerance, if making IR miss a final series does it, well worth it

 

[Meteoric Rise]

I'd much rather the coathanger thanks, I don't think you understand just how hurtful words can be. How about as players we get better and if that means a star player sits out if he says a slur so be it. 4 weeks actually does suit and is reasonable. It gives the Crows a chance for him to be available if they go the long way round (their choice) and it's on par maybe on the lighter side of punishments this season so you won't have other clubs blowing up.

You have a 100kg athlete coming at you at top speed, and you would choose him smashing your face and concussing you over an indirect slur...

Have you ever actually had your face smashed and been concussed as a result of deliberate or reckless violence?

 

[jdisc]

contact is a part of the sport whereas slurs aren't

 

[420]

You have a 100kg athlete coming at you at top speed, and you would choose him smashing your face and concussing you over an indirect slur...

Have you ever actually had your face smashed and been concussed as a result of deliberate or reckless violence?

Bro is drenched in privledge clearly by his comment, have to assume he has never been the victim of physical assault

 

[LukeParkerno1]

You have a 100kg athlete coming at you at top speed, and you would choose him smashing your face and concussing you over an indirect slur...

Have you ever actually had your face smashed and been concussed as a result of deliberate or reckless violence?

I have and I'd rather have the coathanger. I was taught as a young kid, don't say anything you wouldn't say to your grandmother or your mother. Perhaps these players might want to take that advice. Can we stop putting it under the sledging umbrella, it's far from that.

 

[Mr MysteryGuest]

Might do it but after the season not now. Just give Rankine 4 and be done. They aren't losing to GC anyway so that's his season and they can say 'oh we gave you a discount'

I think there would be a massive blow back if the AFL changes the length of the suspension in off season.

If Rankine misses the finals series, then they can't shorten it a couple months later.

I think they have to commit to a standard length now.

 

[Lightsxo]

Concussion vs being called a slur is one of the stupidest strawmans I’ve heard.

You’re playing a physical sport so you understand accidents and potential injuries can happen. It’s not great but sadly can be expected.

You don’t expect to be called a homophobic slur whilst playing footy. That’s not in expectations.

What are we doing here.

 

[Rank]

It was self reported as the other side and player had no issue with it. Graham took it upon himself to self report and then it obviously went through the channels, got a weeks reduction for being the guy to report it. Rankine would have known there was an issue post game.

So your saying there was no communication to Graham before he went and self reported despite the other player having no issue? I find that hard to believe. Doesn't matter anyway, anything more than one match is excessive.

 

[outabounds]

When are we going to find out? Does the longer it drags on help Rankine?

 

[Meteoric Rise]

I have and I'd rather have the coathanger. I was taught as a young kid, don't say anything you wouldn't say to your grandmother or your mother. Perhaps these players might want to take that advice. Can we stop putting it under the sledging umbrella, it's far from that.

You have a different set of thresholds to me. In fact I doubt you are being honest here. I have been involved with a fair bit of violence on both sides of the ledger and in my observation a lot more people instinctively withdraw from physical violence than from offensive remarks.

 

[PenfoldsFan]

It was self reported as the other side and player had no issue with it. Graham took it upon himself to self report and then it obviously went through the channels, got a weeks reduction for being the guy to report it. Rankine would have known there was an issue post game.

All you know is what you've been told, for all we know the 2 clubs in the Graham case could have discussed it behind closed doors and one said get on the front foot and report it yourselves and we wont say anything.
Nothing would surprise me in this league to be honest.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

All you know is what you've been told, for all we know the 2 clubs in the Graham case could have discussed it behind closed doors and one said get on the front foot and report it yourselves and we wont say anything.
Nothing would surprise me in this league to be honest.

The Jack Graham punishment was ridiculously harsh.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

All you know is what you've been told, for all we know the 2 clubs in the Graham case could have discussed it behind closed doors and one said get on the front foot and report it yourselves and we wont say anything.
Nothing would surprise me in this league to be honest.

Doesn't matter end of the day Graham was the first one, Rankine was the last. There's a clear difference, one is self reporting one isn't. He should have reported it before the club did that's utterly obvious. He will learn from his month off, and that's the main thing in this who cares about a few football games