Harley Cops another $5000 fine

[CF]

IT just hasn't been Tom Harley's week.

The Geelong captain has incurred fines totalling $8200 since leading the Cats to a win against Sydney at Skilled Stadium last Saturday.
First, there was the contentious $3200 fine by the AFL Tribunal for colliding with an umpire after he was pushed by an opponent.
Now, a $5000 fine for breaching the new rule banning players from kicking for goal after the three-minute siren before a game.
Harley is the first victim of an AFL edict prohibiting players from kicking at goal after the safety nets have been removed.
He took one last kick after the nets came down at the Gary Ablett-end goal, the ball landing on the head of seven-year-old Patrick Collins.
While there was no harm done to the young Geelong fan, who was later presented with a football by the club, the automatic fine was imposed.
The rule was introduced a week ago to try to stem the alarming number of insurance claims from supporters sitting or standing behind the goals.
There is some good news for Harley - his club will pay the $5000 fine.
Geelong chief executive Brian Cook said last night: "I just can't do it to our captain; he's been so good this year."

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22025639%5E19742,00.html


He can't take a trick this week

 

[JUBJUB]

I heard John Barnes on K-Rock last week mentioning this new fine just as Harley probably did his kick.He said all clubs had been warned a few days earlier.

Surely if you sit behind the goals you have to expect balls flying your way.

 

[Tommy the Cat]

this is just revenue raising

$5,000 is a bit of a joke

 

[SriLankanCat]

Harley should have known the rule of therefore deserved to be fine although $5000 is steep, but im glad the club is paying for it!

 

[Solstice Raver]

I heard John Barnes on K-Rock last week mentioning this new fine just as Harley probably did his kick.He said all clubs had been warned a few days earlier.

Surely if you sit behind the goals you have to expect balls flying your way.

It's amazing how shallow some people are when it comes to litigation. I wouldn't be surprised if there was an ambulance chaser propped behind the goals of each match ready to pounce on their next client.

Good to see the little kiddie was not hurt. If he was though and did need some rehab, I don't think I'd hold it against his family to seek compo.

We used to have season tickets in the Hickey stand right behind the goals some many years ago when I was a tyke. I must have had about 50 pills cop me on the head including an Ablett spear from 15 metres out (still loved him like no other afterwards) and I turned out alright (although some would debate the point).

 

[Ricardo]

The rule was introduced a week ago to try to stem the alarming number of insurance claims from supporters sitting or standing behind the goals.

 

[BigBadCam]

I blame every thing that has gone wrong in my life so far on getting hit in the head by a plugger worm burner when i was 13.

 

[sarah.13]

The Afl have now probably covered most of the premium!

 

[jodo27]

This was as ridiculous as his other fine and the lloyd report.

 

[JUBJUB]

Harley should have known the rule of therefore deserved to be fine although $5000 is steep, but im glad the club is paying for it!

Have you been to an AFL game in the last 2 seasons ?
They have announcements prior to the game over the PA and on the big screens at all AFL games these days warning people of balls being kicked at the goals.If you choose to sit around the goals,then stiff shit if you get hit.

I sit in the forward pocket at SS and I always use to duck when KK was having a shot at goal.

 

[Bryceson]

Good on em for giving the kid the ball.

Its a new rule, and he either ignored it or forgot. Therefore the fine happens. Doesn't really matter cos the club payed it for him anyway.

 

[cancat]

This is bullshit, what if he kicked for goal during a game and hit someone on the head with the ball? Admitedly with Harley you'd have to be sitting in the forward pocket to cop it.

 

[winty]

Sign of the times unfortunately. People will sue over anything nowadays, and I'm sure the AFL are just protecting their own butt with this rule, even if it is a crap one.

 

[Rockford]

Won't be long before they start handing out fines for kicking at the goals during the game. Nets aren't up then either.

 

[Cohzee]

Hmm you go to the football, sit behind the goals, then complain when the ball comes at you?

Losers.

Still, he should have been aware of the rule.

 

[Stants_24_Legend]

no offence to you cat fans but i hope his bad week continues tonight

 

[sarah.13]

no offence to you cat fans but i hope his bad week continues tonight

Stanton has had a good week!!

 

[the_pill]

what happens if a player shanks it, misses the net and cleans up a nun in the crowd? Any fine? Im not enjoying these new rules by the AFL. Harley seems to be face of them.

 

[Upgrayedd]

thats a fair bit of money to lose in a week
ouch

 

[D0nk]

I did hear Barnesy commenting on it before the game and just as he did some kid copped a whack in the face. Apparently a woman was hit and had to have around $30,000 of surgery... Some figure like that anyway.

 

[Stants_24_Legend]

Stanton has had a good week!!

Stants is injuried Harley isnt, there isnt physically something wrong with Harley, maybe mentally but not physically completely different

 

[the_pill]

I did hear Barnesy commenting on it before the game and just as he did some kid copped a whack in the face. Apparently a woman was hit and had to have around $30,000 of surgery... Some figure like that anyway.

very unlucky...

 

[cats2rise]

She musta been pretty darn ugly.

 

[jess_555]

I cannot believe this. What is the AFL doing?????????!!!!! They have gone insane. Poor kid getting hit on the head by the footy but c'mon a $5000 fine is plainly RIDICULOUS! Hopefully Harley will come out firing tonight.

We love you Tommy!

 

[Stripey PJs]

I cannot believe this. What is the AFL doing?????????!!!!! They have gone insane. Poor kid getting hit on the head by the footy but c'mon a $5000 fine is plainly RIDICULOUS! Hopefully Harley will come out firing tonight.

Spot on, Jess, that's an awful lot of raffle tickets sold by volunteers. I'd love to hear the AFLPA's comments on this. Fining a player twice the minimum match payment (or the maximum Club issued fine) for a forgetful shot on goal is excessive. That the AFL considers it on a par with swearing in a medal presentation is mystifying.

The action is neither malicious or offensive, $1,000 is a suitable deterrent.
(not turning up to an AFL love...er...function costs $500)

Maybe the club can recoup the expense by winning some Funniest Video show with the Malceski/Varcoe clip? (OK, I'm struggling here)