FINAL STRAW FOR UGLY HITS?

AFL Tasmania is open to send-off rules without a replacement in the wake of the ugly off-the-ball incident that marred last Saturday’s Old Scholars grand final.

In that match, St Virgils star playing coach Jaye Bowden was knocked out behind play in an incident that saw OHA’s Ray Hill banned for six games.

Bowden could not return after halftime, was sent to hospital for precautionary scans and has taken the week off work to recover

Hill was himself concussed later in the game, with St Virgils’ Trad Duggan given a four-week ban.

AFL Tasmania’s southern regional manager Andy Bennett (inset) said it was not brave to “whack” someone behind play, no matter if it was the AFL, TSL, Old Scholars or any competition.

“It is not only about duty of care for your opponents, but it is about respecting the game,” Bennett said.

“The game is incredibly hard and fierce, but it should be fierce at the ball, it is not fierce or brave to whack someone off the ball.”

He said AFL Tasmania was satisfied with the suspensions handed down and backed the judicial system, but said he would support increasing the deterrents if introduced by the national body, the AFL. “It is important the rules reflect current society,” Bennett said. “Now protecting the head is vitally important.

“If that means we look at rules such as sending players off, then I would support that.”

Hill was sent off in the Old Scholars grand final, but only for 15 minutes and he was allowed to be replaced.

Bennett said if the rule was changed where the player was not allowed to be replaced, then so be it.

Bowden was angered by the violence on the day and has called for the

Old Scholars to ensure it does not happen again

Old Scholars president Mark Heathcote came out on Friday to support Bowden’s comments, but said the incidents last Saturday and were an aberration.

“We have always had a zero tolerance to violence,” Heathcote said.

“In my five years as OSFA president, this is the first grand final which has resulted in suspensions.

“The incidents we have witnessed this year are completely unacceptable, but thankfully a rarity.”