Essendon coach Brad Scott lampooned the tribunal defence tried by Port Adelaide for suspended ahead Junior Rioli as he expressed aid on the restoration of star defender Jordan Ridley from concussion.
Ridley was compelled out of final week’s five-point loss to Port after being taken out behind the play by a swinging arm from Rioli who was given a two-week suspension.
In making an attempt to keep away from a ban for Rioli, his defence council tried to say Ridley bumped into Rioli’s outstretched arm to trigger contact.
“On one view he was unfortunate but moving his arm the way he did meant that he was careless to whether he committed a strike,” lawyer Paul Erlich, appearing for Rioli, informed the tribunal.
“We say unfortunately because the arm (of Rioli) was up, Mr Ridley ran into it.”
Scott stated the resultant suspension meant little to the Bombers post-match, however he did take a dig on the defence, likening it to a knocked-out boxer claiming he bumped into his opponent’s fist.
“The defence team put up whatever argument they think is going to be best, but it’s a bit like Frank Bruno arguing that he ran into Mike Tyson’s fist,” Scott stated on Thursday.
“It doesn’t make a lot of sense.”
Ridley is already again operating in a optimistic signal for a return subsequent week and had progressed “much quicker than we thought” in his restoration.
Scott revealed star ahead Peter Wright can also be forward of schedule in his return from a shoulder harm that has saved him sidelined all season.
Wright, Essendon’s finest and fairest final season, had surgical procedure in March after dislocating his shoulder at coaching on the eve of spherical 1.
He’s not anticipated again till the second half of the season, however Scott stated that return may probably come sooner.
“I’ve seen a lot of really professional players, he’s right up there with the best of them. He’s just been fantastic in rehab,” Scott stated.
“He’s ahead of schedule. That doesn’t mean that we’ll bring him back ahead of schedule, but he’s pushing really hard and progressing really well.
“He’s pretty keen to get back out there and play for us. We won’t play him before he’s right, but the fact that he’s going so well is quite heartening.”
Originally printed as Bombers Brad Scott coach laughs off tribunal defence
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
