Suspension threat hangs above stars
AFL superstars Dustin Martin and Lance Franklin are among the list of players walking a suspension tightrope as they chase September glory.
They are among seven AFL players who have two lowlevel fines and need one more to be handed a one-game suspension.
Franklin has already missed a final through suspension after his hit on Nick Malceski in 2013 saw him outed for Hawthorn’s qualifying final.
GWS forward Steve Johnson’s hit on Josh Kennedy in last year’s qualifying final saw him miss the preliminary final, with some critics saying it cost the Giants a grand final spot.
Under the AFL’s rules some MRP charges see players handed only fines rather than suspensions, but three of those fines in a single season equals a suspension.
It means Martin or Franklin could miss a final for a low-level strike to the stomach or a sling tackle or bump only deemed careless and to the body.
Also on that list are Richmond’s Trent Cotchin, Essendon’s Joe Daniher, Sydney’s Zak Jones, Port Adelaide’s Hamish Hartlett and Adelaide’s Charlie Cameron.
Martin was handed both his fines in one week but managed to survive through the season and keep his Brownlow eligibility intact.
He was handed a fine for facial contact to Brisbane’s Nick Robertson and a high bump to Lion Lewis Taylor in the same game.
Franklin was unlucky to receive a rough conduct fine against Richmond’s Connor Menadue, then received a second fine for facial contact to good mate Luke Hodge.
Sydney’s Jones has continually put himself under MRP heat this year, suspended for a hit on Richmond’s Dan Butler off the ball.
As well as his two fines, he has also escaped suspension for a bump on Melbourne’s Mitch Hannan and a Round 22 bump on Adelaide’s Brad Crouch. But he said recently he still wanted to play on the edge despite being aware of the consequences of another MRP issue.
“I think every club wants their players to play on the line,” Jones said.
“You’re definitely aware of how close you are to the line. A lot of players push the line a bit but that’s football and you have to play hard, you can’t shy away from a contest.”
GWS forward Toby Greene will also have to be on his guard given an applicable bad record that will multiply any suspension.
He was only fined for his bizarre kick on Western Bulldog Luke Dahlhaus, but has four weeks suspension this year.
That means a punch to the face or neck that would normally see him handed a week’s suspension would instead become a two-week ban.
Sydney’s John Longmire said recently he was aware of the danger of his players with bad record but still wanted them to play hard.
“Players are aware of where they stand with the MRP and they know to be mindful of it, that’s all you can do,” Longmire said.
“Most teams want to play a hard physical brand of footy and not give away free kicks or get suspended. But we don’t work in a perfect world.”