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The Age
30-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
The crackdown on dangerous tackles was supposed to protect AFL players, but it's left them confused
Players say they are confused by the AFL's adjudication of dangerous tackles and have called for the league to be more consistent in its application of rules at a time when fines are set to surge to another record this year. The lack of understanding among players over what constitutes a dangerous tackle was laid bare in data collected by the AFL Players Association for their annual Insights and Impact Report, released on Wednesday night. While support has increased among players for the AFL's intent to reduce head knocks, only 12.5 per cent of player delegates surveyed rated their understanding of the dangerous tackle rules as high, according to the AFLPA data. The surveys were conducted last July around the time Brisbane's Charlie Cameron and Greater Western Sydney's Toby Bedford had bans for dangerous tackles overturned. The issue has remained a talking point this season after North Melbourne's Paul Curtis was suspended for three games for a run-down tackle which left Port Adelaide's Josh Sinn concussed. The Kangaroos chose not to appeal the tribunal finding despite their disappointment with the decision. However, North players were bemused, including veteran Luke Parker – who clipped the league in a social media post suggesting the game had become touch football, accompanied by the hashtag 'nomoretackling'. Loading Parker's response was consistent with the feedback given by his peers to the AFLPA. More than 60 per cent of respondents said they had low belief the match review officer or tribunal showed consistency in assessing a dangerous tackle. A score of one to three out of 10 was considered 'low', four to seven as 'moderate' and eight to 10 as 'high'. 'Players expressed confusion about what constitutes a legal tackle, and concern that rulings are increasingly based on the outcome of the action rather than the action itself,' the report said.
Sydney Morning Herald
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
The crackdown on dangerous tackles was supposed to protect AFL players, but it's left them confused
Players say they are confused by the AFL's adjudication of dangerous tackles and have called for the league to be more consistent in its application of rules at a time when fines are set to surge to another record this year. The lack of understanding among players over what constitutes a dangerous tackle was laid bare in data collected by the AFL Players Association for their annual Insights and Impact Report, released on Wednesday night. While support has increased among players for the AFL's intent to reduce head knocks, only 12.5 per cent of player delegates surveyed rated their understanding of the dangerous tackle rules as high, according to the AFLPA data. The surveys were conducted last July around the time Brisbane's Charlie Cameron and Greater Western Sydney's Toby Bedford had bans for dangerous tackles overturned. The issue has remained a talking point this season after North Melbourne's Paul Curtis was suspended for three games for a run-down tackle which left Port Adelaide's Josh Sinn concussed. The Kangaroos chose not to appeal the tribunal finding despite their disappointment with the decision. However, North players were bemused, including veteran Luke Parker – who clipped the league in a social media post suggesting the game had become touch football, accompanied by the hashtag 'nomoretackling'. Loading Parker's response was consistent with the feedback given by his peers to the AFLPA. More than 60 per cent of respondents said they had low belief the match review officer or tribunal showed consistency in assessing a dangerous tackle. A score of one to three out of 10 was considered 'low', four to seven as 'moderate' and eight to 10 as 'high'. 'Players expressed confusion about what constitutes a legal tackle, and concern that rulings are increasingly based on the outcome of the action rather than the action itself,' the report said.
West Australian
28-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Nick Riewoldt says AFL players union's opposition to tougher drug policy exposed in Bailey Smith controversy
St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt has criticised the AFL Players Association for its stance on the controversy surrounding Bailey Smith's 'nose beers' social media post, citing the league's lax drug policy. The 24-year-old has been cautioned by the AFL for the post, and the league has informed Geelong that their superstar recruit—according to 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary — is 'on his last warning.' Smith has been a headline magnet since entering the AFL, but the hype has intensified this year in his first season with the Cats. In 2022, Smith was banned for two matches after admitting to using an illicit substance. A fan commented, 'nose beers after the game mate,' to which Smith replied, 'na bro, after the flag maybe tho.' 'Nose beers' is slang for cocaine. The comment was later deleted, but not before it was widely circulated. Outgoing AFL Players' Association CEO Paul Marsh defended Smith as a 'breath of fresh air' for the AFL due to his unfiltered comments, while AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said Smith was a role model and that his flippant comment was not up to the standard expected of the league's stars. Riewoldt said the AFL's lax and secretive drug policy was partly to blame for the Smith controversy. 'I find myself torn by this. The AFL, from what I'm told, is pushing for a stricter drug policy, which aligns with Andrew Dillon's comments. The AFLPA is railing against that, so Paul Marsh supporting Bailey is consistent with what we've seen,' the Channel 7 AFL analyst said on Triple M's Mick in the Morning. 'The AFLPA essentially protects and condones players taking 'nose beers' — cocaine — under the current drug policy. There are so many loopholes in it. 'Until we get a stricter drug policy that comes down harder — particularly on players who take drugs recreationally, not because they have a problem — then spare me the fake outrage over social media posts. 'Paul Marsh said we're potentially only a few weeks away from a new code, but the AFLPA is reluctant to go harder due to concerns about leaked information and targeted testing. But again, spare us the outrage until you take real action.' Marsh said that Smith made an 'error.' 'What I will say about Bailey is that I think he's a breath of fresh air for the industry. The industry is crying out for players to show their personality, and people flock to him,' he said. 'Sometimes players make errors of judgment — Bailey's made one here.' Dillon said the AFL don't 'want to see it again'. 'Bailey is a role model and needs to be aware of that when engaging publicly or on social media,' he said. 'He made the comment, issued an apology, and I absolutely don't condone it. Drug use is serious and shouldn't be joked about. If he had his time again, I doubt he'd do it.' Since joining Geelong in a blockbuster trade last off-season, he's been in the spotlight but has largely let his football do the talking. The midfielder has surged into Brownlow Medal contention and looks set for his first All-Australian blazer. However, he has also been fined multiple times for obscene gestures, including flipping the bird in consecutive weeks. With 7NEWS
Perth Now
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
AFL great calls out the REAL problem with Smith's drug joke
St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt has criticised the AFL Players Association for its stance on the controversy surrounding Bailey Smith's 'nose beers' social media post, citing the league's lax drug policy. The 24-year-old has been cautioned by the AFL for the post, and the league has informed Geelong that their superstar recruit—according to 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary — is 'on his last warning.' Smith has been a headline magnet since entering the AFL, but the hype has intensified this year in his first season with the Cats. In 2022, Smith was banned for two matches after admitting to using an illicit substance. A fan commented, 'nose beers after the game mate,' to which Smith replied, 'na bro, after the flag maybe tho.' 'Nose beers' is slang for cocaine. The comment was later deleted, but not before it was widely circulated. Outgoing AFL Players' Association CEO Paul Marsh defended Smith as a 'breath of fresh air' for the AFL due to his unfiltered comments, while AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said Smith was a role model and that his flippant comment was not up to the standard expected of the league's stars. Riewoldt said the AFL's lax and secretive drug policy was partly to blame for the Smith controversy. 'I find myself torn by this. The AFL, from what I'm told, is pushing for a stricter drug policy, which aligns with Andrew Dillon's comments. The AFLPA is railing against that, so Paul Marsh supporting Bailey is consistent with what we've seen,' the Channel 7 AFL analyst said on Triple M's Mick in the Morning. 'The AFLPA essentially protects and condones players taking 'nose beers' — cocaine — under the current drug policy. There are so many loopholes in it. 'Until we get a stricter drug policy that comes down harder — particularly on players who take drugs recreationally, not because they have a problem — then spare me the fake outrage over social media posts. 'Paul Marsh said we're potentially only a few weeks away from a new code, but the AFLPA is reluctant to go harder due to concerns about leaked information and targeted testing. But again, spare us the outrage until you take real action.' Nick Riewoldt has gone on the attack over the AFL's drug policy. Credit: Josh Chadwick / Getty Images Marsh said that Smith made an 'error.' 'What I will say about Bailey is that I think he's a breath of fresh air for the industry. The industry is crying out for players to show their personality, and people flock to him,' he said. 'Sometimes players make errors of judgment — Bailey's made one here.' Dillon said the AFL don't 'want to see it again'. 'Bailey is a role model and needs to be aware of that when engaging publicly or on social media,' he said. 'He made the comment, issued an apology, and I absolutely don't condone it. Drug use is serious and shouldn't be joked about. If he had his time again, I doubt he'd do it.' Since joining Geelong in a blockbuster trade last off-season, he's been in the spotlight but has largely let his football do the talking. The midfielder has surged into Brownlow Medal contention and looks set for his first All-Australian blazer. However, he has also been fined multiple times for obscene gestures, including flipping the bird in consecutive weeks. With 7NEWS
News.com.au
27-05-2025
- General
- News.com.au
‘Pull your head in': AFL puts Bailey Smith ‘in the gun' after seven-word comment
Geelong superstar Bailey Smith has reportedly been given a stern warning from the AFL, after his satirical comment on Instagram regarding the future use of drugs. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. The 24-year-old, who is in career-best form, replied to a comment on Instagram last week asking if he was going to have 'nose beers' after his win over former club the Western Bulldogs last Thursday night. Satirically, Smith replied saying: 'Na bro, after the flag maybe tho (sic).' The comment has created even more public attention on his first year in the navy hoops, and a very hard word from the league says Fox Footy's Midweek Tackle Jon Ralph. 'The AFL's message to Bailey Smith is very clear: 'Pull your head in Bailey, you are in the gun right now,'' Ralph said on Tuesday night. 'He's left with a really strong message from the AFL: 'If this happens again, don't cry poor; don't say I wasn't aware of it'. 'The AFLPA boss Paul Marsh says it's in his character, it was a tongue-in-cheek thing, he's got a lot of personality in his game — but it was probably misplaced. 'Once again, Smith is the centre of attention. Once again, Chris Scott, Andrew Mackie and Steve Hocking have to deal with their star player mid-week.' The dashing midfielder is every chance to be leading the league's Brownlow Medal count after 11 rounds, and again starred against the Bulldogs for his 33 disposals, seven tackles, six tackles and 810 metres gained. Geelong have been supportive of their star recruit ever since his arrival at the club, however Midweek Tackle panellist Corbin Middlemas believes behind closed doors they would be reminding him of the fine line that comes from being such a public figure. 'I'm sure that what we're hearing from Geelong publicly is different to how they're treating Bailey Smith internally. I think so far, the way they've treated it publicly is completely consistent with the way that they've treated a lot of their players; particularly under Chris Scott's tenure,' said Middlemas. 'The difference with Bailey Smith is, he's in a very different position than a lot of those other guys ... even guys like Tyson Stengle and Jack Steven that have come in over the years that have had their troubles; often they're in their last stop in the footy system. 'That's not Bailey Smith's circumstance though, so it's another interesting juggling act for the Cats ... I know both Steve Hocking and Chris Scott have spoken about the fact that it's a good challenge for them as CEO, coach and as a club to try and work their way through this. 'There's going to be a couple of bumpy moments as there has been early on, and yet the performance on the field has been first-class; he's arguably the Brownlow Medal leader. So they're certainly getting the best out of him on-field.' Smith, who didn't play any football in his final year at Whitten Oval due to an ACL injury, seems to thrive off the extra public attention that comes with personality added Ralph. 'Part of me thinks that this isn't his kryptonite this attention, this is his superpower. He absolutely loves this stuff, and this is the reason that he's playing so well.' Geelong play West Coast this Sunday night at Optus Stadium, starting at 5:20pm (7:20pm AEST).
