Waite a second more . . .

AussieRulesBlog has always thought that kicking another player was viewed, by players and fans alike, as the lowest act on a footy field.

 

No longer it seems. The MRP ruling that Jarrad Waite’s kick did not connect with sufficient force to warrant a penalty absolutely trashes whatever was left of football’s ‘moral’ code. (Keen-eyed readers will note that we predicted this outcome a few days ago.)

 

What of intent? What if, instead of nearly ruining his opponent’s ‘family jewels’, Waite’s kick had connected solidly with his opponents shin? Would THAT have been with sufficient force to warrant a penalty? Surely a backward kick is reckless in the extreme and deserving of a significant penalty?

 

There were certainly issues with the old report/Tribunal system and there’s much to like about the certainty and formulaic approach of the current review system, but there are just as many glaringly, embarrassingly wrong judgements made.

 

There’s something desperately wrong with a system that has Richmond’s Alex Rance offered a four-week penalty for bumping Waite, albeit with contact to the head, and Matthew Scarlett getting a week for thumping Nick Riewoldt to the ribs, albeit a mile off the ball, and Waite not having a case to answer.