Lake wasn't choking Petrie, at least he didn't for most of the time they were on the ground. He was pushing down on the collar bone. Maybe he did move his thumb down onto the windpipe but a person does not submit as Petrie did (in an attempt to get Lake off him) if they are being choked. Try pushing on your windpipe and see if you can tolerate it for more than a few seconds. No way did Petrie just lie there and take it. So basically because it 'looked' like Lake was choking Petrie he gets 4 weeks. Judd actually eye gouged two players and got 4 weeks. Given how fragile the human eye is I can't see how low pressure to the windpipe with a thumb to aggravate your opponent is worth the same penalty.You miss the point. Should Lake have got suspended? yes.
However I can't accept
- the trial by media
- the complete absolution of Petrie who eye gauged and got nothing
- Hawthorn players commenting on the incident the way they did. One for all and all for one is the way we are at hawthorn. If they had a problem, then keep it behind closed doors. Also I would add where were the players flying the flag for Lake before the incident?
- the CEO of the AFL commenting on the matter before it's gone to the tribunal.
It's ******* amateur at the AFL and I am just absolutely sick of it.
You are dead right on the trial by media points. Hawthorn should challenge this and threaten court action given he has not had a fair trial due to incessant media speculation and commentary.





