PLAYERS WHO PUNCH SHOULD FEAR ARREST

POLICE already have the right to charge for on field incidents in any sport, this is not in doubt.

Imagine an on-field death as a result of a punch. The question would be a matter of law — is it manslaughter or murder — not can we charge anyone?

The decisions after charges are made will be by a prosecutorial evaluation and then by the courts.

Charges being laid are not stopped not by a policeman’s lack of having the right to lay charges.

What is a concern is the apparent immunity and lack of a duty of care by the AFL and the interests of football clubs (at all levels) being demonstrated weekly on the football fields when there are umpires, spectators, parents and players all being subjected to assaults that would require an adjudication by courts.

Talk about heads in the sand to protect business and clubs.

Then again our courts are an absolute joke when managing cases and victims are the last people to be considered.

Prosecutors fail to present the victim impact statements, magistrates don’t deliver a duty of care and a case lasts five minutes with the accused lying unchallenged by the magistrate or prosecution.

The victim has life-threatening injuries that sent them to emergency and the critical care unit and ICU.

The victim is not even informed of the case outcome and has a sporting life ended and has ongoing specialists visits and medication.

The long-term effects of violence on the football fields for victims is never considered, until it happens to you. Ross Kroger, Highton