Youth Jam’s Isaac Mulcrone has argued that overturning Lachie Neale’s suspension would call the AFL’s integrity into question.
Hear the full discussion by clicking play.
As previously reported, the Brisbane Lions pledged to appeal the decision, which followed an off-the-ball strike during Saturday’s preliminary final against Hawthorn.
Footage of the incident shows Jack Ginnivan wrestling with Lions forward Eric Hipwood late in the first quarter, before Neale runs over and strikes Ginnivan in the stomach.
Ginnivan then fell to the ground.
Mulcrone says the midfielder must face the consequences of his actions.
“He’s the one who did this, he should face the consequences and Brisbane will have to face the consequences. If he gets off that’ll be an outrage and there will be serious questions asked of the AFL,” he told Newsflash listeners.
If the suspension is overturned, Mulcrone added that it would undermine the league’s integrity.
Sports correspondent Jaxon Bassett said the upcoming grand final should not influence the decision.
“Just because it’s Christmas, it doesn’t mean the law doesn’t apply and you can get away with crime.
“The laws are in place and this is the precedent they’ve set and to go and change it just because it’s a preliminary final and it means the player is going to miss a big game then I do agree. It’s not like this was a spur of the moment thing, Lachie Neale had time, he could’ve decided to back away and not do it, but he made the conscious decision to run over to Jack Ginnivan and swing his arm across and collect him,” he said.
