The AFL has conceded the Brayden Maynard tribunal decision “will not sit well with everyone” while accepting the not guilty verdict.
Key points:
- An AFL statement says it accepts the tribunal’s verdict, though it wasn’t the outcome the league hoped for
- The statement said Aussie Rules’ “uniqueness as a contact sport” involves risk of head injury occurring
- Maynard was cleared to play at a marathon tribunal hearing after a collision with Angus Brayshaw
Maynard was cleared of a rough conduct charge by the tribunal in a marathon hearing on Tuesday night, allowing him to play in Collingwood’s preliminary final next week.
Maynard was facing a three-game suspension for an incident that left Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw unconscious and concussed.
Collingwood’s legal team successfully argued Maynard’s actions were not unreasonable despite the catastrophic result to Brayshaw.
The AFL had a deadline of 12pm on Wednesday to appeal the tribunal’s decision, but opted against it.
“The incident on Thursday night between Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard and Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw generated passionate debate and the AFL understands that the outcome of this case will not sit well with everyone who watches and plays our game,” an AFL statement read.
“No one likes to see a player suffer a serious concussion as Angus Brayshaw did and also see the impact the incident had on him, his family and friends, his teammates and his club.
“Our game’s uniqueness as a contact sport, while celebrated, involves risk of some high contact occurring.
“The decision to refer the incident to the tribunal was made so the unusual circumstances of this high contact incident could be closely examined, and a thorough and independent process could be run.
“Whilst the tribunal’s decision was not the outcome the AFL sought when it issued its match review findings, the AFL respects the reasoning of the tribunal panel in arriving at its decision.
“The health and safety of players in our game will always be the AFL’s priority and regardless of the tribunal outcome this incident will be subject to close examination at the end of the season.
“The AFL has actively taken action to minimise the incidence of concussion in our game and has continued to make considered decisions to protect the health and safety of our athletes, including by making further rule changes to deter avoidable forceful head high contact in our game as has been done in over 30 instances over the past two decades.”
The AFL’s new general manager of football Laura Kane fronted the media on Wednesday afternoon, reiterating the league’s decision to accept the decision.
“It was a really difficult situation, a difficult incident. It’s a challenging one for everyone involved,” Kane said.
“We didn’t think there were grounds to appeal. If we did think there were grounds to appeal, we would have.”
The AFL’s reluctance to appeal has not gone down well in all quarters, with former Demons player Shaun Smith — father to current player Joel — expressing his disbelief at both the tribunal verdict and lack of appeal.
Smith, who has permanent damage as a result of head injuries sustained throughout his playing career, told ABC Sport the decision to let Maynard off without suspension is “jaw-dropping”.
“When I see some of the stuff that has been imposed with suspensions over the year I just find it jaw-dropping that nothing was done.
“He’s been cleared, totally exonerated from any wrongdoing at all. It’s just mind-boggling.”
“I don’t think initially Maynard tried to knock him out. But he’s left the ground carelessly, flying through the air and he’s knocked someone out.
“How you can’t get any weeks for that it’s embarrassing for the AFL.”
Smith said Brayshaw, who already has a history of concussion from his young career, was recovering well but he still held fears for his future.
“I’m led to believe he’s going okay. He hasn’t got as many symptoms as last time (2017), he was a pretty crook boy there for a while.
“But sometimes no symptoms doesn’t mean you’re alright. He was knocked out for quite a while. That’s a severe brain injury, not a concussion.
“They need to treat it and be diligent. Hopefully Gus doesn’t come back early. I’d love to see him back in the team but your health is way more important than playing.”