TOPIC:

Anyone have any idea what is going on here.  Riolli getting off but Robinson getting a week?  
Plenty of examples over the years of blokes getting weeks due to accidental contact, but are they changing their interpretation now? 
 

Good question Mcbob. I'm totally confused over this one after watching the vision a few times, I predicted the original outcome of reckless, high contact, medium impact meaning a week if pleading guilty. To have it overturned is a mystery as you can clearly see his hip coming in contact with Rowell's head. If you manage to work it out Mcbob, please enlighten us all as one week into the new season, the interpretation of high contact is all over the place.

The consistent inconsistencies never cease to amaze us......all for player safety, but surely it's the same rule for all come end of the day

What would happen if 2 players are over the ball and there is a headclash, with both moving at the same speed. 
Do both of them get a week? 

Clearly Rioii had eyes only on the ball and was going for the mark, not the man. If he had pulled out to avoid contact and allowed Rowell to mark instead then his coach would have been furious.
Just my two bob's worth. No free kick given and no reaction from Rowell or any other Suns' player.

If Rioli marked that ball he'd be lauded for taking a speccy. If he got a week for that then the next thing our great game would lose is the high flying mark. If you now concuss someone taking a mark over their head is that going to be weeks as well?

how is it any different to Rioli who had eyes only on the ball but came head on?

That's the difference Viper and Smokey. If you watch the vision Rowell did take the mark only to have it knocked out of his arms by Rioli hitting him whilst off the ground. Rioli took his eyes off the ball at the last minute and turned side on for self protection but didn't have duty of care for Rowell at the same time. Don't get me wrong I don't think it was a deliberate act to hurt Rowell and both players were incredibly brave but a week for mine was a fair outcome.

I watched it in slo mo and he didn't move his eyes until right on the contact. The whole time going up his eyes were on the ball. He knew there would be contact but would have no idea if Rowell jumped or not so he had to jump to protect himself.

Why did Rowell not jump? Not many players would stand there and take a hit when they can jump and protect themselves with a knee.

He did knock it out though you are correct but was still trying to mark it.

BC wrote:

That's the difference Viper and Smokey. If you watch the vision Rowell did take the mark only to have it knocked out of his arms by Rioli hitting him whilst off the ground. Rioli took his eyes off the ball at the last minute and turned side on for self protection but didn't have duty of care for Rowell at the same time. Don't get me wrong I don't think it was a deliberate act to hurt Rowell and both players were incredibly brave but a week for mine was a fair outcome.

Spot on BC though I disagree on a couple of points. It wasn't courageous on Rioli's part, Rowel on the other hand showed incredible bravery with his arms stretched out to take the mark. Rowel was entitled to believe any opponent would pull out unless he was going for the mark in the same fashion.

And secondly, Rioli should have got two weeks. If that bump is legal or only warrants a fine then Fyfe is owed a third Brownlow Medal.

It wasn’t worth a week, going for the ball, no head contact, eyes only on the ball.