Big Chance Swans Star May Lose 'protected Species' Tag
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday June 9, 2008
AS ADAM GOODES faces the possibility of a suspension that would end his run of consecutive games at 202, the brilliant midfielder may not only have to defy the AFL's tough crackdown on head-high contact - something strongly supported by his coach Paul Roos - but also the perception created by two brushes with the tribunal in the past year.
It is little more than two months since Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews branded Goodes a "protected species" after a one-match ban for striking Port Adelaide's Matt Thomas was overturned by the AFL tribunal in the days before the Swans played the Lions. That followed the decision last year to reduce Goodes's one-week suspension for charging Melbourne's Simon Godfrey to a reprimand after he pleaded guilty to a downgraded charge.Ideally, the match review panel and the tribunal will be oblivious to the commentators, talk-back callers and internet bloggers who would be sure to echo Matthews' complaint that Goodes had a "get out of jail free card" should he be cleared of the high bump on West Coast's Adam Selwood in the early stages of Saturday night's dramatic match at Subiaco Oval.However, unless the panel members have been holidaying in Outer Mongolia, they will be aware a not guilty verdict will create enormous outcry, both because of Goodes's recent escapes and the zero-tolerance approach shown to others who have faced similar charges in recent weeks such as Port Adelaide's Shaun Burgyone and West Coast's Beau Waters.For their part, the Swans will hope the relatively light contact made to Selwood, who returned to his feet and kicked a goal from the resulting free kick will be in the dual Brownlow medallist's favour. They might also claim Goodes's contact was high, but not necessarily to the head - the video evidence is not conclusive.However, if it is deemed Goodes went past the ball and struck Selwood in the head, then it will be Roos's own words that best explain why the Swans lose one of their most damaging players - possibly for more than one week given he has 70.3 demerit points hanging over his head from the Godfrey charge.Roos last week supported the AFL's hardline approach to head-high bumps saying he encouraged his players to tackle rather than use their hip and shoulders in potentially hazardous situations. In a weekend newspaper column, Roos further outlined his concerns about head-high bumps."As a parent of two boys who love playing Aussie rules, you want to know that they can go for the footy without the fear they'll have their heads knocked off," Roos wrote. "You don't want to see kids copying their heroes in the AFL and think it's OK to launch into an opponent with a big hip-and-shoulder bump and accidentally make contact with the player's head."Just like AFL players these days, the kids at AusKick and junior footy have to know that it's their responsibility not to make any contact, even if it's accidental, to an opponent's head. If kids see AFL stars getting rubbed out for a number of weeks, even for making accidental contact, I think that's a good thing for our game at all levels."Of course, that does not mean Goodes is guilty. But, whether he is suspended or not, the Swans will be working hard to ensure their match-winner makes a more disciplined response to the tough physical attention he received from the opening bounce on Saturday night - and will receive for the rest of his career.
© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald