The controversial suspension of Demon Jack Viney dominated Mick Malthouse’s thoughts last night during his regular spot on radio FIVEaa.
Viney was last night suspended for two weeks by the AFL Tribunal, after being found guilty of rough conduct for a bump on Adelaide’s Tom Lynch. Lynch was left with a broken jaw.
Viney had pleaded not guilty to the charge, arguing he was just standing his ground.
The AFL Player’s Association’s Ian Prendergast this morning said the decision to suspend Viney will send a message of uncertainty to players.
Carlton coach Mick Malthouse agrees.
“I’m a little bit confused like most people,” Malthouse told FIVEaa.
“I’m confused about people making a statement in a game that has been predominately a contact sport for over 100 years.
“There’s only one way out of this and it starts at five-year-old Auskick, that right now they’re not allowed to tackle but they’re allowed to bump …
“We have to teach our footballers at five to say no, you can’t bump, and it’s not disgraceful to actually jump out the way.”
Malthouse says by teaching kids learning to play AFL that they can’t bump from the outset, the game will eventually become a non-bumping sport – which the Carlton coach believes may be necessary to avoid confusion going forward.
