Dylan Shiel of the Essendon Football Club is set to appear before the AFL tribunal on Tuesday night to contest a rough conduct charge stemming from an incident in a recent match against the Geelong Cats. The Australian Football League (AFL) has recommended a one-game suspension for Shiel, who was involved in a controversial play that resulted in his own teammate, Luamon Lual, suffering an injury.
The incident occurred during the match on Friday night when Shiel pushed Geelong’s Mark O’Connor in the back. This action led to Lual being propelled awkwardly over O’Connor, resulting in a serious fall that left him in visible distress. Lual was eventually able to return to the game but was later substituted out due to the injury.
Essendon coach Brad Scott, who once held the position of head of AFL football operations, expressed his confusion regarding the charge. He questioned the rationale behind penalizing a player for injuring a teammate, stating, “It seems like it’s a bit of a test case.” He emphasized the notion that the match review officer (MRO) may have opted to escalate the decision to the tribunal due to uncertainty about the proper course of action.
Scott highlighted that Essendon has faced what he termed a “triple whammy” of penalties: a free kick awarded against them, Lual’s injury, and now a tribunal case against Shiel. He pointed out, “We’ve been penalised three times without the opposition actually being the victim, as far as I can see.” He expressed skepticism about the validity of the charge, insisting that there appeared to be no grounds for it.
As the case unfolds, differing opinions have emerged from fellow coaches in the league. Adam Kingsley, the coach of Greater Western Sydney, drew parallels to a previous incident involving Richmond player Rhyan Mansell, who received a three-game suspension for a similar act that involved pushing an opponent into a contest. Kingsley commented, “It could have ended really badly, so the fact that it was his teammate who potentially could have gotten really badly injured—this could be the sticking point.”
In contrast, Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge argued that Shiel’s intent should be a critical factor in the decision. “I don’t think he’s planning to push someone into his teammate,” Beveridge remarked, suggesting that if Shiel was merely trying to protect his position on the field, the charge might not be justified.
The tribunal’s decision will have significant implications for Essendon, particularly as the team navigates the aftermath of Lual’s injury and the potential absence of Shiel from future matches. Meanwhile, the Adelaide Crows are also preparing to present their case at the tribunal concerning veteran player Rory Laird, who is facing a one-game suspension for a high bump. Laird’s suspension would rule him out of the crucial match against Collingwood this Saturday.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the tribunal’s ruling and its impact on the players involved, as well as the broader implications for the AFL’s approach to player safety and accountability on the field.
