James Gallagher

They could have been brought together.

I understand there was efforts to probably try and do that.

I think that should have just been made to happen.

I think with this one, when I first started in the role, almost about six months ago now, and it was really evident to me early that one of the major frustrations of our current playing group is

was around the, um, match review tribunal, um, processes, decision-making and the like.

Um, and I think what we've seen here, when you've got two players, respective players give evidence, it's not accepted.

Um, it, it does start to make players uncomfortable, you know, about the, um, about the tribunal system and we've all got to have confidence in it.

And that's the most important thing.

Um, and I do think, you know, this decision is, um, has, has impacted on that.

I'm surprised, but I'm not a technical expert.

So, you know, I take that at face value.

I actually think for everyone, it would have been a lot better if the audio was available.

So I know there's been some conspiracy theories about that.

I think for both the players, the umpire and everyone else involved, I think it would have been better if the audio was available.

I'm not going to buy into those necessarily.

I think it's just, unfortunately, the ways of technology sometimes.

I think there's a feeling that the deck's stacked against them a little bit.

And that, again, it's not good that that exists.

Certainly had some conversations with the AFL around the MRO tribunal processes through the off-season.

And I think we've reflected in the statement this morning that, you know, we said we'd watch it closely.