Jack Crisp record streak in doubt after tackle; St Kilda Saints out of race for Brisbane Lions’ Lachie Neale
Updated ,first published
In today’s AFL Briefing:
- Saints coach Ross Lyon has revealed that Lachie Neale is not in his sights after speaking to him.
- Collingwood defender Billy Frampton will miss the Magpies’ blockbuster clash against Carlton but veteran Jack Crisp’s record match streak remains intact.
- The WorkSafe Victoria investigation into the AFL into contact training was launched following a complaint from concussion campaigner Peter Jess.
Saints pull out of Neale race, continue wildcard hunt after dropping Port
Andrew Wu
St Kilda are out of the race for Brisbane Lions midfield star Lachie Neale on a day when the Saints resist a spirited revival from Port Adelaide to remain in the hunt for a wildcard berth.
In a match marred by injuries, including a potentially serious ankle problem for Power superstar Zak Butters, the Saints were six goals ahead at half-time but trailed by 14 points after the long break – 13.9 (87) to 10.13 (73).
Saints were linked with Brownlow medalist Neale, who played under coach Ross Lyon at Fremantle earlier in his career, but prioritized protecting his midfield core rather than recruiting talent from elsewhere.
Lyon and Neale were caught up in a private restaurant, where it was decided that Saints would not pursue the midfielder any further.
“It’s really not possible for us to run out of contracts for our young players,” Lyon said after Saints’ win on Saturday.
“We jumped at the opportunity because it was something we could pursue and our relationship was strong and if we were in a position to do that we could do it. But we’re not.”
“I didn’t want any fuss for Lachie, his club and us in the middle of this. We’re clearly out of the game. It’s over.”
Young star Darcy Wilson’s contract expires at the end of the year, and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera will leave the team at the end of next season. Saints spent big on signing Tom De Koning, Silvagni, Sam Flanders and Liam Ryan in a busy trade window last season.
Wanganeen-Milera and Hugo Garcia played in the midfield for the Saints.
Neale, 33, has had another great season with the Lions and is a key player as they prepare their attack for a third consecutive title.
A tumultuous end to the season led to the breakdown of his marriage and wife Jules and their two young children, Piper and Freddie, returned to Perth. Amid the turmoil at the start of the year, Neale stood down as Lions vice-captain.
Collingwood remains a potential new home for the two-time Lions flag-winning hero.
Coach Craig McRae spoke to the unrestricted free agent as he ponders whether to stay in Brisbane.
During the week, McRae said, “I’ve said this for a couple of weeks until any free agents are signed, we have a strategic plan that looks at who’s available. We’ll keep the hat in the ring and see how we go about it.”
Lyon said Saints will make a decision within the next two weeks on when frontman Max King returns, but he will not play at any level this week despite his promising form on the training circuit.
Port were brave in defeat, losing Butters late in the third quarter and leading Mitch Georgiades to a concussion in the second term. Linebacker Lachie Jones suffered a rib injury just before three quarters, while reliever Jack Lukosius battled a calf complaint for nearly the entire game.
Butters, who is expected to leave Port when his contract expires at the end of the season, may have played his last match in Power colors if the scans to be performed in the coming days reveal damage to his ankle syndrome.
The substitute captain grabbed the top of his foot and the bottom of his shin; This was a move more consistent with a syndesmosis injury than a typical ankle sprain.
Butters played a key role in Port’s challenge, claiming 11 possessions in the third quarter before awkwardly engaging in a marking contest.
“[It] didn’t look great,” said Port coach Josh Carr. “Obviously the ankle and the syndesmosis to what extent, who knows? Frankly, it doesn’t look good. The vision clearly speaks for itself, so we’ll just have to wait and see.
“It would certainly be quite unsuccessful as we are quite distressed to lose a player and obviously a very good player.”
What started out as a relaxed afternoon on the football field for Saints fans turned into a tense hour.
Having been dominant in the first half, the Saints fell asleep in the third term but their defense, inspired by an excellent performance from captain Callum Wilkie and another strong play from Jack Silvagni, held strong under pressure with the game on the line. Port came within one shot on three occasions but were unable to score the go-ahead goal.
Frampton suspended but Crisp clear
Andrew Wu
Collingwood defender Billy Frampton will miss the Magpies’ blockbuster clash against Carlton but veteran Jack Crisp’s record match streak remains intact.
Frampton was removed from the match by the match review official for a dangerous tackle on North Melbourne forward Matt Whitlock late in the final quarter of the Magpies’ four-point win on Friday night.
Frampton’s interception was deemed moderate after the medical report given to Whitlock by North, who played the final minutes of the game.
Although the Pies could still appeal the decision, Frampton’s absence will put further strain on the Collingwood defence, which is already missing Darcy Moore. Veteran forward Jeremy Howe is also under the injury cloud after receiving treatment late in the game against North.
Crisp can further build on his record 279-game run after being cleared for a tackle that left North newcomer Tom Blamires concussed.
Another notable example of this season is the Northern small forward. Paul Curtis was suspended for 3 matches for a tackle that left West Coast’s Hamish Davis concussed.
Crisp’s situation is different from Curtis’ because he doesn’t trap Blamires’ arms, thus allowing his opponent to prepare for a takedown. However, Blamires did not take this protective action.
The MRO ruled that Crisp’s intervention did not warrant a suspension as he had shown sufficient care to Blamires despite his injury.
In its findings, the AFL said: “Blamires received a handball from a teammate and was tackled laterally by Crisp. The MRO’s view was that Crisp did not use excessive force in making the tackle and Blamires had both arms free to prepare to strike the ground.”
“Despite the injury suffered by Blamires, Crisp’s actions were not unreasonable under the circumstances and did not constitute a reportable offense. No further action was taken.”
Pies coach Craig McRae said he did not see the incident on Friday night but understood it could be a situation his player could respond to, given Blamires’ injury.
“If he tackled him and got a concussion, obviously there’s something to answer for,” McRae said. “But it will be disappointing.”
Concussion campaigner launches WorkSafe investigation into AFL training
Jon Pierik
The WorkSafe Victoria investigation into the AFL into contact training was launched following a complaint from concussion campaigner Peter Jess.
Jess has written to the workplace regulator demanding an investigation into whether the league and clubs have protected players from head impacts in training over the past four years from November 2022.
WorkSafe said it would provide Jess with an update by 28 July in accordance with section 131 of the Health and Safety at Work Act (2004).
“WorkSafe Victoria has received a request regarding alleged breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and is investigating the matters raised,” a WorkSafe Victoria spokesperson said.
An AFL spokesman said: “The AFL is aware of another complaint made by Peter Jess to WorkSafe and will respond accordingly.”
Jess, who is also an AFL player representative, said on Saturday the AFL needed to be held accountable to help professional and community-based players.
“There have been 33 deaths from CTE, 19 of which were suicides. The public needs to know how and why this happened,” he said.
WorkSafe Victoria conducted a comprehensive review of the AFL’s concussion protocols in 2022 and found the league did not have a case to answer.
As reported by this imprint, former Victorian coroner John Cain had called on the AFL in 2023 to limit contact training following the inquest into the death of former Richmond player Shane Tuck.
The league told clubs last month that contact training limits would be introduced next year and that an advisory group would be established to determine the official parameters of future training programmes. The restrictions will apply from the start of the 2027 pre-seasons for both the AFL and AFLW.
Jess’s complaint comes at a time of growing concern at elite and community levels about the impact of repeated head impacts and concussions.
Thirty-three Australian regulation players at professional, semi-professional and amateur levels were recently diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease. Of these, 19 people died by suicide at ABC Four Corners report found.
The AFL has made more than 30 changes to on-field rules and off-field laws since 2010 in a bid to reduce concussions.
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Jon Pierik is a sports reporter for The Age. He covers the AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect with: X or email.
