Nick Riewoldt has come out firing after Nic Naitanuiโ€™s suspension was upheld by the tribunal last night.

Naitanui was handed a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle on Port Adelaideโ€™s Karl Amon and appealed the charge but after a lengthy hearing, the AFL Tribunal did not overturn the suspension.

Retired St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt said it was a good tackle and Naitanui should not be penalised because he is of bigger size than Amon.

โ€œThis was a good football tackle. It was a free kick for in the back at worse,โ€ Riewoldt said on AFL 360 last night.

โ€œTo expect Nic to make that split second decision as he was approaching Karl Amon (is unrealistic). What if it was Charlie Dixon? The ramifications would have been entirely different.

โ€œI just think to expect the player to make that judgement in a split second is completely unrealistic.

โ€œHe didnโ€™t sling. It wasnโ€™t a spear tackle. Both arms werenโ€™t pinned โ€” one arm was free. Are we serious?

โ€œI feel for the players. What are they meant to think when there is a split second to make a decision?โ€

Riewoldt also believes the match review system overall has got some problems at the moment.

โ€œEither Michael Christian is having an absolute nightmare and heโ€™s having an absolute shocker or the rules are wrong,โ€ he added.

โ€œI think based on what weโ€™ve seen this year from the MRO and the results that have gone certain ways Iโ€™m just confused.โ€

The Eagles ruckman responded to the upheld appeal on twitter after the decision was handed down last night.

โ€œObviously disappointed but ainโ€™t no point complaining about it,โ€ Naitanui said.

โ€œStarvation/homelessness are real issues. We smile and move on!โ€

The suspension has very much divided the footy world with some people strongly agreeing with the decision and others, such as Riewoldt, strongly disagreeing.