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The AFL has confirmed they will investigate Brayden Maynard’s contact on Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw at season’s end, despite opting not to appeal the tribunal’s decision to absolve the rough conduct charge.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the league was adamant that “regardless of the tribunal outcome” Maynard’s contact with Brayshaw, which saw the Demon knocked unconscious for two minutes, will be examined.
“The health and safety of players in our game will always be the AFL’s priority and regardless of the tribunal outcome this incident will be subject to close examination at the end of the season,” the AFL’s statement read.
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“The AFL has actively taken action to minimise the incidence of concussion in our game and has continued to make considered decisions to protect the health and safety of our athletes, including by making further rule changes to deter avoidable forceful head high contact in our game as has been done in over 30 instances over the past two decades.”
Fierce debate has also surrounded the tribunal’s decision to let Maynard avoid a suspension for the clash with Brayshaw, which was originally graded as a case of careless conduct with severe impact and high contact.
The veteran defender is now available to suit up for Collingwood’s preliminary final next week against the victor of Port Adelaide and GWS’ upcoming semi final.
As per tribunal guidelines, the AFL had until midday on Wednesday to determine whether or not to appeal the verdict, eventually opting not to draw out the case.
“The AFL has confirmed that after careful consideration and review of the Tribunal’s decision and reasons following last night’s hearing into the incident involving Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard and Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw, the AFL has decided not to appeal the Tribunal’s decision,” the league’s statement read.
Speaking live on radio during the tribunal hearing, Brayshaw’s brother Hamish said it would be an “injustice” if Maynard avoided suspension and the AFL did not appeal.
“I think if it went not guilty and no one appealed it from there it would be, I think, a little bit of an injustice,” he told SEN’s Sportsday.
“Just because if it went the other way I’m sure that Collingwood would be appealing it.
“I’m not over the ins and outs of the tribunal but if you leave the ground to make contact with the face and you knock someone out, that’s been the way it’s been.
“I understand it’s different with the pressure of a final and all the rest of it. There’s been a lot of people saying it’s going to set a precedent and it’s divided a lot of people.
“For me, at the end of the day, the outcome of that doesn’t bother me as much as the outcome of (Angus’) health.”
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The decision comes as a surprise after AFL House pushed for Maynard to be charged.
Newly appointed footy boss Laura Kane and chief executives CEO Andrew Dillon and outgoing CEO Gillon McLachlan called on match review officer Michael Christian to escalate his original settlement.
This caused an altercation with Christian sticking to his decision that Maynard had “no case to answer”.
“Michael Christian was adamant that there was no charge to be laid. The AFL, those bosses insisted on sending this one straight to the tribunal and more disputes occurred when the AFL insisted on grading the charge,” The Age’s Caroline Wilson told Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday night.
The league said it would release a further statement later on Wednesday.