St Kilda is challenging Jack Higgins’ three-match ban for a dangerous tackle at the AFL Tribunal. Live updates below!
Higgins was cited for his tackle on star defender Aliir Aliir last Friday night, with the action deemed as careless conduct, high contact and severe impact.
The incident forced Aliir to leave the ground soon after, with the 29-year-old later failing his SCAT5 concussion test and being subbed out of the game.
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The head knock means Aliir will miss this Thursday’s Showdown against cross-town rivals the Adelaide Crows.
The Saints argued Higgins was not guilty because it was not rough conduct and his actions were not unreasonable in the circumstance. Should that fail their secondary argument was “exceptional and compelling” circumstances apply given Aliir contributed significantly with his actions.
The medical report said Aliir would miss at least 12 days due to the concussion protocols.
The Saints planned to call a biomechanist to speak in regards to Aliir’s actions, given he was kicking the ball, but the AFL argued there was not sufficient notice in terms of a lack of information given, and objected.
“If it’s simply a description of what’s in the video … it’s not really an area of expertise and the expert cannot assist the Tribunal,” Nick Pane KC said for the FL.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s live coverage of the Power-Saints match last week, Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph broke down the mechanics of the tackle in question.
“He clearly pins Aliir’s arm, he clearly takes him to ground with some force and then he dumps his head into the turf. He might say that Aliir tries to kick the ball, which contributes to the motion, but I think Michael Christian has very consistently suspended these ones – apart from Toby Greene on Mac Andrew in Gather Round,” Ralph noted.
While the Match Review Officer in Christian has a track record with suspending such actions, there was still sympathy for the Saints forward given the tackle’s somewhat-unique nature.
“I feel for Higgins – if Aliir Aliir understands if he’s being tackled and doesn’t then try and kick the ball, well then there’s probably no case to answer for.” Hawthorn great Jordan Lewis said in response.
Follow our live blog of the Tribunal below!
Source Agencies
