Pete Smith
Years ago
Elbow to the jaw - what's it worth?
Pre-season tournament. Mens Grand Final. Team W vs Team U. Prizemoney up for grabs. Perculiar stadium set-up. Crowd seated on one side only. Benches on opposite side.
Offensive player for Team U on 3 point arc summing up his options - has his back to the crowd. His opposite number hacks at the ball, cracking him across the wrist in the process. The ref turns to the bench indicating the foul. In that instant the aggrieved player lets go a powerful elbow to the jaw of his opposition. Dropped him to the floor.
Unsighted by the refs. Melee develops. Player hit ends up on bench(with rolled ankle)for most of game after opposition captain puts the bear hug on and drags him away from the melee. 5 man for Team W pushes and shoves and verbals and is ejected. Dirty player from Team U escapes any penalty whatsoever.
Team W responds to win well, unbeaten over 2 days.
This took place early this year. Local paper made no mention of incident or melee in it's report, in fact made the game sound very tame and straightforward.
Hoops followers. Observations and any recall of striking penalties dished out by tribunals for players actually reported in such situations. Is video evidence from an individual admissable? Or does it have to be preapproved.
Reason I bring this up now? Football player reported for rough or dangerous play. Local footy league this week refused to consider video from a supporter - even though the offending player was booked on the spot.
I repeat, an elbow to the jaw - what's it worth if a report had been made.
