Sydney veteran Luke Parker says there’s nonetheless scope for some AFL collisions to be deemed unintended after teammate Dane Rampe efficiently challenged his tough conduct cost.
Rampe had a two-match suspension over an off-the-ball collision with Western Bulldogs midfielder Lachlan McNeil thrown out by the tribunal on Tuesday night time.
Players are extensively supportive of the league’s makes an attempt to guard their heads however Parker is relieved not all excessive contact within the high-speed recreation will likely be blamed on these concerned.
“I was fully supportive of what Dane was trying to do in that moment and it was just one of those football accidents,” Parker instructed reporters on Wednesday.
“I’m glad that he got off because we don’t want to go too far. Accidents can happen in football.
“He was simply attempting to do his job and he was in a position to argue that.”
Rampe argued the contact with McNeil was nothing more than a “soccer incident”, declaring he hadn’t deviated from his running line and that the Bulldogs player had initiated the contact.
The tribunal agreed and dismissed the ban, leaving Rampe free to play in the Swans’ crunch clash with Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
“He’s so essential to us week to week and for him to get off is unbelievable for us,” Parker stated.
“So he is trying ahead to coming over to Perth and having an excellent recreation.
“He’s a leader of our club and has been champion player for a long time, so it’s really important to have our best players out there at this time of year.”
Sydney (30 factors) and Fremantle (28) are each nonetheless simply inside attain of the highest eight however can ill-afford additional slip-ups, with simply six rounds left to play.
“It will come down to the final rounds to grab those final couple of spots,” Parker stated.
“We know Fremantle are going to be desperate – they’re coming off a couple of losses – and we’ve been in and out of form.
“We’re trying ahead to getting over there in opposition to a reasonably hostile crowd.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
