AFL make rare call to send Dylan Shiel to tribunal for unusual incident against Geelong
During the second term of Friday night's clash, Shiel pushed Geelong defender Mark O'Connor into a marking contest just as Lual was courageously running back with the flight.
O'Connor cannoned into Lual, which caused the 20-year-old to flip upside and land awkwardly on his neck.
Lual came from the field and underwent assessment before he was ultimately cleared to resume playing.
The youngster was eventually subbed out during the last quarter.
While players have previously been suspended for pushing opponents into marking contests, this one shaped as a unique incident given the potential injury was to a teammate.
The match review officer charged Shiel with rough conduct, but made the rare call to send Shiel straight to the tribunal with the recommendation of a one-match ban.
'The incident involving Essendon's Dylan Shiel's push on Geelong's Mark O'Connor was assessed as rough conduct by the MRO and has been referred directly to the tribunal without being graded,' the MRO said in a statement.
'If the charge is upheld by the tribunal, while the tribunal will determine the sanction in their sole discretion, the AFL's view is that a suspension of one match is the appropriate penalty having regard to both the impact to O'Connor and the significant potential that Shiel's teammate, Luamon Lual, could have suffered a serious head or neck injury arising from Shiel's unreasonable conduct, which caused Lual's head and neck to make contact with the ground with force.
'In this respect, the Laws of Australian Football state that a player owes a duty of care to all other players, not just their opponents.'
It means the 32-year-old will miss Friday night's clash against St Kilda.
The veteran midfielder is out of contract at season's end and facing an uncertain future at the Bombers.
Channel 7 commentator Dale Thomas said the incident was a good example of why the AFL has this year tried to legislate such dangerous pushes into oncoming players out of the game.
'That's why, the AFL, we often criticise knee-jerk reactions, but that push into the pack, that's why you've got to take it out,' he said.
Matthew Richardson added: 'That'll be looked at, there's no doubt.'
'I think it's the action in this one, isn't it? It's very dangerous.'
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