MEDAL DANGER
PATRICK Dangerfield’s decision to pin Matthew Kreuzer’s arms in a dangerous tackle is the single threat to his Brownlow Medal chances.
The Geelong star yesterday defended the tackle which concussed Carlton ruckman Kreuzer, adamant it was a “fair tackle”.
Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney and former North Melbourne star Nick Dal Santo said yesterday he would be suspended for a week.
It is understood the three chief discussion points for the MRP to assess a dangerous tackle are a lifting moment, double movement or rotation of the body to build speed and momentum.
Dangerfield’s tackle had none of those qualities, but his decision to pin Kreuzer’s arms as he rode him to the ground creates a problem.
That could be enough for the MRP to rule his tackle had “excessive force”, which will lead to a suspension.
One of the criteria for dangerous tackles under MRP guidelines is “The player being tackled is in a vulnerable position (ie arms pinned) with little opportunity to protect himself.”
If it is assessed as a careless and dangerous tackle he will miss at least one week for a medium-level incident.
MRP members Jason Johnson, Nathan Burke and Michael Jamison will rule on the case, with Jimmy Bartel unavailable on business and Michael Christian overseas.
The decision will also have to be ticked off by acting footy boss Andrew Dillon, in only his second week in the role.
Lance Franklin is unlikely to miss Friday’s clash against Geelong as his careless, low impact tackle on Luke Hodge would be handed a fine at worst.
Dangerfield’s tackle again sparked calls for an overhaul of the Brownlow criteria, Cooney adamant the league should drop the “fairest” element.
The Cats star has never been suspended in 196 games, with fellow contender Dustin Martin also on the edge given two low-level fines.
“I actually thought he still had the ball, so that’s why I’ve turned around and put my hands in the air (to appeal for a free kick),’’ Dangerfield told Channel Seven.
“I haven’t been cited for anything. I felt it was a fair tackle. It wasn’t paid a free kick at the time, but like I said, we will have to wait to see how it plays out.”
The AFL will not be helped by two tackles from early in the year — Cam McCarthy on Sam Gilbert and Shaun Burgoyne on Sam Reid.
McCarthy’s tackle resulted in a two-week suspension but had a clear double movement, while Burgoyne escaped suspension but did not pin Reid’s arms.
Cooney said the decision to pin Kreuzer’s arms meant Dangerfield had a duty of care to the Blues ruckman.
“You would think given the precedents set he has to miss one week for this,’’ he told SEN. Former Melbourne star David Schwarz and Dal Santo agreed Dangerfield would be suspended for Friday’s clash against Sydney.