St Kilda coach Ross Lyon wasn’t involved concerning the sort out which may land Dan Butler in hassle because the Swans confirmed Nick Blakey didn’t go away Thursday night time‘s game with concussion as a result of the incident.
Sydney coach John Longmire confirmed Blakey left the game at the SCG, won by the Saints, with a toe injury was passed his concussion test after looking to take a blow to the head when tackled by Butler.
The Match Review Officer will almost certainly review the tackle that saw Blakey leave the field after Butler chased him down from behind after which his head then made heavy contact with the turf.
It caused much debate with Swans legend Jude Bolton telling the broadcast it would be disappointing if Butler was suspended.
“I still think it’s a footy motion,” he instructed Channel 7. “It’s one of the toughest tackles to execute when you’re running from behind and I think he’s actually guided him down.
“There’s going to be accidents in football. I don’t think it’s cut and dry like that.”
The AFL match overview panel has been citing gamers for the potential to trigger harm of their actions and Longmire added to potential confusion confirming Blaker was not concussed.
“He passed his HIA, he was fine,” Longmire mentioned.
“He was going to take 15 minutes by the time he was assessed and allowed back on the ground which is pretty critical at that point and he had a toe injury coming into the game, so we had to get moving.
“It was a pretty important part of the game and 15 minutes is a good slab of time. With his toe being sore we decided to make a change.
Lyon, who said he hadn’t spoken to Butler about the incident, wasn’t worried about the tackle but understands why the AFL are taking a cautious approach to protecting the head.
He called it a “delicate issue”.
“I didn’t assess it. Everyone has come to me on it (but) we’re unwavering in the process in and outside the club so that can go through the channels and they (MRO) can make an assessment,” Lyon mentioned.
“Clearly that part of the game is challenging for everyone. I haven’t had a look at it, I was looking at Warner exploding out of stoppages.
“It’s a delicate (issue), isn’t it. I’ve got a daughter that got knocked out playing netball with a clash of heads.
“She’s out for three weeks and I’m a bit ‘get moving’. I’m a bit flippant with it but I think to be cautious and go through the protocols is the right thing.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
