Eagles coach scathing on suggestions of a ‘Nic rule’ after tackle penalty upheld
Related Story: Should Nic Naitanui cop a one-week AFL ban for this tackle?Related Story: 'Are we serious?' Naitanui suspension for tackle stuns AFL world
West Coast coach Adam Simpson has hit back at the concept of a "Nic rule" that forces bigger players to adapt their playing style to avoid hurting smaller players, following the controversy over a one-match ban for star Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui.
The ban for a tackle on Port Adelaide's Karl Amon prompted suggestions the 101-kilogram Naitanui needed to assess the weight difference between him and his opponent when he makes a tackle.
External Link: West Coast Eagles tweet: Vision of Naitanui's tackle on Amon. Nic has been offered a one-match suspension.External Link: Poll: Should Nic Naitanui be suspended?
Simpson admitted he was left confused after the AFL tribunal upheld the match review panel's one-match suspension.
Naitanui's tackle on Amon was deemed careless, with medium impact to the head.
As well as weighing up the size difference between the players, the AFL said Naitanui should consider more reasonable courses of action, including rolling the player in the tackle or dropping to his knees to avoid driving his opponent in the ground.
But Simpson said Saturday's incident happened in less than a second, making it impossible to make such detailed assessments.
"In 0.8 of a second, Nic's got to assess obviously where the ball is, who's about to get the ball, his height, his weight," Simpson said.
"There's not enough time to actually make all those decisions, and anyone who suggests that's the way he's got to handle it is wrong."
Simpson said Naitanui was exceptionally strong and implied he might have been treated unfairly.
"I don't think anyone wants him to change how he attacks the footy, and maybe it's just a 'Nic rule', because he's so powerful, and just don't be so powerful and strong and aggressive in the act of play," he said.
AFL says Naitanui's weight not 'relevant'
AFL general manager of football operations Steve Hocking said Naitanui's weight differential was not a factor in the decision to uphold his suspension.
Hocking said the fact that Naitanui was 30 kilograms heavier than Amon was "irrelevant" despite the AFL's legal counsel Jeff Gleeson stating that the height and weight of players had to "go into the basket of considerations".
"I don't think that's relevant, it's really about duty of care. I think we've been really clear on that as an industry and most players and coaches would understand that," Hocking said.
If I'm playing, I'm not jumping on the scales pre-game and checking my weight against my opponent. It's really about the health and safety of the players.
"So, in that scenario our concern around that was head and neck and hence the decision that was made.
"We think that's best for the greater good of the game long term. I'm sure there there's lots of mums and dads out there that are supportive of that decision."
West Coast travel east to face Greater Western Sydney this weekend.
The Eagles have been the surprise packets of 2018, sitting in second spot, and are looking for their seventh straight win.
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