AFL Football boss Laura Kane has suggested that a "sliding scale" could be a solution to contentious tackling suspensions following Paul Curtis' three-match ban upheld at the Tribunal.
The AFL world was up in arms as Curtis was sanctioned for his tackle on Port Adelaide's Josh Sinn, which left him concussed and withdrawn from the remainder of the match.
Kangaroos veteran Luke Parker also took aim in an Instagram story, welcoming fans to attend their "touch football game this Thursday night vs Essendon #nomoretackling".
Kane admitted that three weeks for Curtis is "jarring", given the MRO matrix deems the offence as three or more weeks or zero.
"What I've reflected on overnight is probably the three weeks being somewhat of a jarring element of this," Kane said on SEN.
"The discussion that could be had is, is there available to us a sliding scale? And would that frustration, or would that sentiment be there if it was less than three weeks?"
Kane has applauded the work both clubs and players are doing in protecting one another, but acknowledged that there are small margins that contribute to the outcomes, and overall confusion.
"It's not to minimise the outcome, it's to acknowledge that sometimes we are dealing with moments in time and decisions that you make," she added.
"But just cases generally, maybe there is some discussion to be had around if the technique looks, sounds and feels like this, maybe it's not three weeks, but it's certainly not meant to move away from our position of wanting to make the game safer."
Curtis will miss clashes against Essendon, Brisbane and Richmond after the club opted not to take the Tribunal's decision to the Appeal Board.
"That is less than one-third of a second!" ๐ณ
The vision that shows the game may be asking too much of players, as the panel reacts to Paul Curtis' 'ridiculous' three-match ban being upheld.#9FootyClassified | Watch on Nine & 9Now ๐ฅ๏ธ pic.twitter.com/VbFVg3XoBm
โ Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) April 29, 2025
"We were bitterly disappointed, believe we put up a really good case for Paul and believe he acted in the right manner," Kangaroos GM of Football Todd Viney said.
"Tackling is part of the game, and we believe he put into place things we teach our players around driving players forward. We're disappointed for Josh Sinn, too and wish him well.
"No (we won't put any more focus on tackling at training). That's why we appealed last night. We strongly believe it's a legitimate part of the game.
"We've spoken with legal counsel extensively, and we've been told we have zero chance (of overturning the ban)."
