Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick says that football acts should result in a fine, not a suspension.
In the wake of Sam Clohesy being offered a two-match ban for a dangerous tackle on GWS' Ryan Angwin, Hardwick lamented that his player had been taught the correct technique, but was punished for the unfortunate injury to his opponent.
"I am still a big believer in football acts," Hardwick said on AFL360.
"I'm really, really strong on that football acts should be a fine. I think the game of AFL football, people pay to see the very best players playing. Sam Clohesy didn't go in (to the tackle) with any malice to injure young Angwin. We hope he's okay.
Ryan Angwin has been ruled out of the match with concussion after this incident involving Sam Clohesy.#AFLSunsGiants pic.twitter.com/4MR7t7itmk
— AFL (@AFL) May 3, 2026
"When you sit there and think about the intent, his intent is to tackle, not hurt, and I find it a little bit challenging at stages where Sam's been taught his whole life how to tackle, that he gets two weeks.
"Yet you can walk up and punch someone and get a fine. One's a football act. One isn't.
"I'm happy they've used some precedent to get that reduced, but I still look at football acts differently to non-football acts.
"The game needs its talent playing. We're an entertainment industry, we need our players on the park."
The Match Review Officer (MRO) used their discretion to downgrade a previously three-week layoff following the uproar last year after North Melbourne forward Paul Curtis missed three games.
The AFL brought in legislation that gave the MRO the capacity to alter the level of impact, which Clohesy experienced, copping a two-game suspension with a verdict of high impact, instead of severe.
Hardwick got the opportunity to see a non-football act by one of his other players in Ben Long, which is something the league should focus on removing.
Clayton Oliver received a free kick and a 50m penalty for this incident involving Ben Long. pic.twitter.com/SRZndBoqIO
— AFL (@AFL) May 3, 2026
Long slapped and ruffled the head of Giant midfielder Clayton Oliver, but was only fined for his
"If I'm being completely honest, you get a week for stupidity, if I'm Ben," Hardwick said.
"That was uncalled for. It's not in the football game. It's a disappointing thing. It cost us a 50 and to be fair, it should've cost him a week. It's a non-football act.
"These are the things we're trying to get out of the game, whereas the other one is an action that is in the game.
Agreed on all counts.
There was no “second action” in the tackle – there was clearly no intent to drive the head into the turf, no attempt to cause injury at all.
A strike is a strike – and has been “illegal” since the game was codified….. and in previous club rules.
The way penalties have been determined by resultant injury is ridiculous, while no-one wants to see players injured, an action that is within the rules of the game should not be penalised.
The consideration of the injury should only be included in illegal (“non football”) acts.
To further highlight the point – how is it that a player strikes (or attempts to strike) another – and receives a free for making that attempt (Crips/Peatling)?
…. I’d say Long should have got a bit longer than just the one week, by the way… his action was not only illegal but was preceded with “sustained intent”.