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Michael Christian

๐Ÿ‘ค Speaker
245 total appearances

Appearances Over Time

Podcast Appearances

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

As I say, what it means is that, and I think people watching the game will see that

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

player behaviour has changed with respect to tackling.

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

Players are exercising a duty of care, which I think is a real positive for the game.

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

Absolutely.

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

And the players are incredible, really, in terms of the way they can adjust to these changes.

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

And, you know, 15 years ago or even 10 years ago, it seemed acceptable to bump someone's shoulder to head and, hey, that was a great bump and play on, well done sort of thing.

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

But I think now...

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

people watching the game, certainly media, the football world generally, will see a shoulder to head bump and immediately think he's in trouble.

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

And I think, you know, when there's a clear election to bump and there's shoulder to head contact, I think it's universally now accepted that it's not allowed in the game and people recognise it instantly.

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

It's been a little different, but that change in the guidelines that you've just outlined has made it a lot easier.

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

There's been seven suspensions this year.

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

There was only a couple last year.

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

A couple last year that were suspended, but obviously there were a number of fines last year, but seven suspensions this year.

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

And one was challenged.

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

Will Hayward challenged his gut punch last year.

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

I think it was on George Wardlaw.

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

And he went to the tribunal and the week's suspension was upheld.

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

So, yeah, I think I've seen, certainly from my perspective, and I'm not sure you obviously watch a lot of football, but we haven't seen it as much.

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

And it seems to be working.

Whateley
Michael Christian - Mid-season review | AFL Match Review Officer (02.06.26)

Greg Swan, when he came into the role, was really...