bourbiza mohamed
- The footy world has erupted at two controversial rulings
- Charlie Cameron and Toby Bedford have been banned
- It has seen debate swirl over the future of the tackle
The footy world has collectively vented its fury after two stars saw their bans for dangerous tackles upheld.
The AFL Tribunal reaffirmed its three-match suspensions for Charlie Cameron and Toby Bedford after the pair were deemed to have put their opponents in danger while hauling them to the turf.
The findings have caused uproar in the AFL community, with legends and fans expressing their confusion with the rulings.
Referring to Cameron’s suspension for his tackle on Liam Duggan, Gerard Healy said on SEN Sportsday: ‘I must admit, I’m a bit stunned by that one… I think the Brisbane Lions would be absolutely filthy.’
AFL legend Wayne Carey: ‘Charlie C gets three weeks for a tackle in that way is an absolute joke !! AFLPA do something please #bulls**t’.
Sydney Swans hero Jude Bolton posted on X: ‘FFS. 3 weeks! Seriously… where are we at?’
ABC broadcaster Clint Wheeldon went further, describing the ban as a ‘disgrace’.
‘If you defend this decision – go and participate in nothing more physical than Hungry, Hungry Hippos. But only with protective glasses on, because there’s a slight risk one of the plastic balls might hit you.’
The footy world has been in uproar over the bans handed to two AFL stars
Toby Bedford (above) and Charlie Cameron have copped heavy suspensions
Bedford’s club, GWS, lashed the decision to ban their star and the state of the game
The footy world was equally enraged by Bedford’s ban, his GWS Giants teammate Lachie Whitfield said: ‘I just don’t know any more what to do. It’s very, very confusing. We’re all a bit shocked by the three weeks… I was honestly astonished. There’s only so much you can do.’
Former Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes took a similar tone to Wheeldon, labelling the Bedford suspension ‘disgraceful’.
Meanwhile, the Giants – known for their social media banter throughout the season – made their own statement in typically humorous fashion.
The club tweeted a screenshot of a Google search which read: ‘How do you tackle your opponent without touching them?’.
Jonathan Brown set the tone on Monday night when discussing the state of tackling in the AFL, expressing concerns at the direction the game is heading.
‘What has happened to our great game? It’s getting into troubling territory for me. It’s just astonishing, I know where we’re going as a game, we’re trying to protect the head but what in the hell is Toby Bedford meant to do?
‘We are allowed to tackle in our game, I feel bad for Tim Taranto, but we are starting to eat in to the fabric of our game,’ he said.
‘I’m telling him mate don’t pursue and don’t tackle, I’d rather have you playing for us instead of missing the next three weeks.
‘Concussion crusaders, be careful what you wish for… this is a crossroads moment.’
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