Adelaide Crows winger Mitch Hinge delivers ‘uppercut' to Freo star Andy Brayhsaw

7NEWS

25-04-2025

Adelaide winger Mitch Hinge is under the microscope for for delivering a nasty jab to Fremantle star Andrew Brayshaw in their clubs' Anzac Day battle on Friday night at a jampacked at Optus Stadium.
The incident happened in the second quarter of the Dockers' 18-point victory over the Crows, and Brayshaw received a free kick for the high shot.
After the game, Channel 7 AFL reporter Ryan Daniels called it 'interesting', while AFL legend Nick Riewoldt described it as an 'uppercut'.
'This one's from early in the game (on Friday). It was Mitch Hinge on Andy Brayshaw. So it happened right in front of us, actually, on the boundary. So this is the incident right here,' Daniels said as he ran the Channel 7 vision of the moment.
'As you can see, a little jab there. Brayshaw got a free kick, which was taken in the pocket, had a shot for goal and missed, but that's an interesting one.
'The MRO will definitely have a look at that.
'I don't think it's severe impact. He played on, obviously, so he doesn't have that to worry about, but it is a high one.'
The fact that it is a punch to head will raise eyebrows at AFL House.
The AFL has been under scrutiny for its seemingly double standard on hits to the head, particularly after Richmond's Noah Balta assault on a man outside a club last December.
Riewoldt didn't like the look of it and said a sanction was on the way.
'It's a strike, it's a left uppercut,' Riewoldt said.
'So he, he gets a week (suspension) or he gets a fine.'
Daniel said Hinge would probably be fined due to the lack of impact.
'I don't think there was too much malice in it,' he said.
'He gave away the free kick and, as I said, it wasn't severe. He played on, Brayshaw, and he won the medal, so couldn't have been too bad.'
Brayshaw was in top form for the game and claimed the first-ever Arthur Leggett Medal with maximum votes.
After their defensive pressure was put on notice during the week, Brayshaw led from the front as the Dockers led the Crows from start to finish in the 18-point Len Hall Tribute game.
His five tackles set the tone on defence before Brayshaw burned Adelaide the other way, collecting an incredible 37 disposals, six clearances and 522 metres gained.
Brayshaw was also massive in the loss to Melbourne last week; the Arthur Leggett Medal a fine reward for his efforts across the last fortnight.
'I'm very honoured,' he said during the post-game ceremony.
'We spoke to someone from the Hall family and they told us the story of going to the first World War, and the feathers we're wearing tonight in remembrance of that.
'To be able to play on actual Anzac Day is an absolute privilege, and the Leggett and Hall families lost someone and there are so many people and families that have been affected by war.
'So, for us to be able to represent them in a small way and try and play with some courage, a bit of attitude, I'm just very grateful.'
Caleb Serong and Hayden Young, 32 and 20 touches respectively, also put together fine arguments for the medal, but Brayshaw's four-quarter effort and leadership were match-defining.
The votes were handed down by a panel of four that included Daniels and Channel 7's Erin Phillips, as well as Fox Footy commentator and former Hawk Shaun Burgoyne and SEN's Tim Gossage.
The Dockers' Anzac Day Medal was renamed the Arthur Leggett Medal ahead of the Crows clash after the WWII veteran's recent passing at the incredible age of 106.
Leggett has played special parts in previous Len Hall Tribute games.
As part of the Anzac commemorations a touching ceremony was held before the bounce and selected Fremantle members who have served or are serving in the armed forces were given a lap of honour.