The AFL has admitted umpires wrongly judged multiple high tackles on Hawks forward Jack Ginnivan during Monday's Round 3 clash between Hawthorn and Geelong.
Ginnivan was on the receiving end of several high-contact contests that did not result in a free kick to the 21-year-old, sparking some concern from coach Sam Mitchell and onlookers.
The Magpie-turned-Hawk has previously been central to the AFL stamping its authority on the ruling around high tackles and potential techniques that allow tackled players to potentially manoeuvre an opponent's arm or their own head height.
Speaking on AFL.com.au's Footy Feed following Round 4, AFL general manager of football Laurak Kane stated while the umpires adjudicating Monday's match missed multiple high tackles, the league does not want "players to lead with their head" at the contest.
"There was a lot of commentary. We review every incident, we are looking for MRO or umpiring coaching" Kane said.
"We've assessed all tackles or contests that involved Jack Ginnivan. It is fair to say that a couple of those weren't officiated correctly and we missed a few.
"We've spoken to Hawthorn and reiterated as we did in 2022 to all clubs that we don't want players to lead with their head. What I want to be really clear on is we don't have a different set of rules for a player; we don't have a different set of rules for a club or a team; we officiate our games all the same way within the rules."
It is understood that the AFL contacted Hawthorn football boss Rob McCartney following the club's six-goal loss to Geelong to inform the club of the missed umpiring calls.
Ginnivan, who recently opened up on the moment he decided to seek a trade to the Hawks over the off-season, will face his former club Collingwood on Sunday in the final match of Gather Round.
The energetic small forward was a member of the Magpies' premiership side last season and played 42 games in the black and white over four years with the club.
