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Brisbane Lions v Carlton Blues, Callum Ah Chee, racial abuse, targeted, Patrick Cripps, bump, concussed, tribunal, ban, suspension, cleared

Brisbane Lions v Carlton Blues, Callum Ah Chee, racial abuse, targeted, Patrick Cripps, bump, concussed, tribunal, ban, suspension, cleared

Brisbane Lion Callum Ah Chee has called out online racial abuse in the wake of Carlton’s successful appeal of skipper Patrick Cripps’ two-week suspension and the club has referred it to the AFL Integrity Unit.

Cripps was cleared by the AFL appeals board on Thursday night, having been given a two-week ban for a big hit on Ah Chee in last week’s clash at the Gabba.

The AFL on Friday confirmed it would not appeal that decision and Cripps was free to play against Melbourne this weekend.

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But amid the fallout, Ah Chee, who was injured in the incident and will miss Brisbane’s match with St Kilda due to the AFL’s concussion protocols, was the target of racial abuse that he spoke out against on his personal Instagram account.

“Not something you want to wake up to in the morning,” I posted.

“How can this still keep happening. Why can’t my brothers and I just play the game we love without having to worry about s**t like this… If my son grows up playing the game – I hope he doesn’t have to deal with this hate.

“It hurts and I’m sick to death of seeing it.”

The Lions also condemned the comments calling the behavior “disgusting” and reported it to the AFL Integrity Unit.

“The Brisbane Lions celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and the incredible contribution Indigenous players have made to our club and to our great game,” a clubs statement said.

“It’s disappointing to have to do so, but in moments like this we take the approach as a footy club to urge people to educate themselves about the harmful impacts of racially motivated comments and online abuse.

“At the Lions we are a family and when one hurts, we all hurt.

“If you know anyone who behaves in this way, call it out as completely unacceptable.”

Ah Chee was supported by Brisbane teammate Mitch Robinson, who said the abuse was “as weak as it ever gets”.

“Sick of having to see our Indigenous and multicultural players subject to racism over and over again,” he posted on Twitter.

“If you see it, even if you might know these uneducated trolls on social media keep calling it out and report them.”

The AFL confirmed it would not appeal against Cripps’ ban being overturned, noting the case “involved complexities”, but the reasons for the decision would be closely reviewed.

“The AFL acknowledges and accepts the decision of the AFL appeals board in overturning the tribunal’s decision to suspend Patrick Cripps from the Carlton Football Club,” a league statement said.

“As the appeal board chairman commented last night, the case involved complexities and the AFL will closely review the appeal board’s detailed reasons for the decision that will be received in due course.

“That said, the health and safety of our players at an elite and community level is of paramount importance and that priority will continue to inform the AFL’s ongoing work in taking action where health and safety is impacted or at risk.”

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AFL 2022: Patrick Cripps fails to overturn two-game ban, Carlton Blues, video, Callum Ah Chee

AFL 2022: Patrick Cripps fails to overturn two-game ban, Carlton Blues, video, Callum Ah Chee

Patrick Cripps’ home and away season is over after the Blues star failed to have his two-game ban overturned at the AFL Tribunal.

Cripps’ legal team argued his bump on Brisbane Lions player Callum Ah Chee was nothing more than a “football act”, but the AFL wasn’t having it.

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The Blues used Willie Rioli’s hit on Matt Rowell from earlier in the season as the example as to why the star shouldn’t be sanctioned.

Rioli left the ground and bumped into Rowell.

“My eyes are purely fixed on the ball,” Cripps said.

“I’m trying to turn and protect the drop zone of the ball, I’ve got my arms outstretched. The ball is there to be won.

“No way I can answer that ball without a collision being there

“In the heat of battle when the ball’s there to be won, I’m going to try and take possession of the ball.”

AFL counsel Nicholas Pane however argued that Cripps elected to bump and because of that decision, he was responsible for the outcome.

Cripps’ lawyer pleaded with the jury to let the star Blue off as it was simply just two players contesting the footy.

“This was a very even contest with milliseconds in it,” Cripps’ lawyer Peter O’Farrell said.

“The consequences of impact do not determine the reasonableness of an action.

“Concussion is a serious issue in sport, but it’s not to be explained away by blaming players all the time.

“On occasion there will be injury. Players can and do get hurt.”

A long kick down the line from Adam Cerra was punched high into the air by Brisbane’s Daniel Rich and Lions teammate Callum Ah Chee camped himself underneath it.

As the ball came down, Cripps came in at a hundred miles an hour and launched off the deck and flattened Ah Chee with a nasty hip and shoulder.

The impact of the hit left Ah Chee flat on the Gabba surface as several Lions teammates remonstrated with Cripps.

Medical staff rushed to Ah Chee’s side and he remained hunched over on his hands and knees before he was able to get back to his feet and under his own power make his way off the ground.

Ah Chee was subbed out of the game. Cripps was sixth favorite for the 2022 Brownlow Medal on TAB markets heading into the game.

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AFL: Lions star Lachie Neale lifting at business end of season

AFL: Lions star Lachie Neale lifting at business end of season

Lions ruckman Oscar McInerney has hailed the form of teammate Lachie Neale as Brisbane’s top-four hopes go on the line in the final two rounds of the regular season.

Currently in fifth spot on the AFL ladder but on the same points as third-placed Melbourne and fourth-placed Sydney, the Lions can guarantee themselves a top-four berth by beating St Kilda and the Demons in the next fortnight.

It’s a task easier said the done, but the form of star midfielder Neale will aid Brisbane’s top-four bid.

He was superb in the Lions’ weekend win over Carlton, with an all-round effort of 32 disposals, nine clearances and one goal moving him alongside Gold Coast Suns star Touk Miller at the top of the AFL Coaches Association’s MVP award.

Neale is also favored to win a second Brownlow Medal, having won the award for the first time in 2020.

“He’s gone up a level,” McInerney said in comparing Neale’s form from two years ago to now.

“We couldn’t be proud of that. He’s a phenomenal player.

“He’s the last guy out on the track, he’s always working on his touch, (doing) weights, he’s getting stronger, he’s fitter, he’s an incredible athlete, he’s got an incredible mindset… that’s a great role model for all our young players coming through.”

McInerney’s own form has been good but he is playing his performances down, claiming he just wants to keep things “nice and simple” for the likes on Neale and other Brisbane teammates.

“As long as I’m just jumping hard and creating a contest, we’ve got so many magical players like Lachie at the feet, they just do the rest,” McInerney.

“He (Neale) is just so clean. He just doesn’t fumble but that comes from the work behind the scenes.”

The Lions are attempting on producing a four-quarter performance when they head to Marvel Stadium for Friday night’s clash against the Saints.

Despite beating the Blues by 33 points at the Gabba last Sunday, Brisbane had a 57-point three-quarter lead which Carlton at one stage reduced to less than three goals in the final term before the hosts steadied to seal the victory.

“We’re still improving at this time of year, and I think that’s a really valuable thing for our team,” McInerney said.

“Obviously we need to cement that and go for longer periods, but it’s really pleasing and positive signs that we’re able to continue to improve.”

The versatile Callum Ah Chee will miss Friday’s match due to the AFL’s concussion protocols.

Defender Marcus Adams also didn’t train with the Brisbane team on Tuesday as he recovers from a sternum injury he suffered against Carlton.

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Carlton Blues, Patrick Cripps, court, appeal, suspension, ban, bump, Callum Ah Chee, West Coast Eagles, Willie Rioli, Matt Rowell, appeal

Carlton Blues, Patrick Cripps, court, appeal, suspension, ban, bump, Callum Ah Chee, West Coast Eagles, Willie Rioli, Matt Rowell, appeal

Carlton needed to use the Willie Rioli defense in a bid to free skipper Patrick Cripps to play in this weekend’s must-win clash with Melbourne, according to Jonathan Brown.

Like Cripps, Willie Rioli was banned for his mid-air collision with Sun Matt Rowell as the Eagle’s impact sent the midfielder crashing into the turf.

Rioli was given a one-match ban for the heavy bump, but was successful in overturning the suspension at the court by arguing his actions were not “unreasonable”.

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Cripps has been hit with a two-match ban for his similar action that left Lion Callum Ah Chee concussed on the Gabba turf.

Brown believes a “precedence” was set in Round 1 – with the difference being Cripps’ has been graded as high impact and not medium like Rioli’s.

“The end of the day, the precedence has been set for my belief when Willie Rioli was let off with Matty Rowell in Round 1. I don’t think there’s been a rule change,” Brown said On the Couch.

“To me, it looked like Willie Rioli was later (in making contact).

“Yes, you can argue that it was a marking contest however it was an aerial contest. One was in play, one was a marking contest.

Longmuir confident yet coy on Freo | 03:48

“They were both scenarios where the player’s had to leave the ground. I don’t think Patty Cripps could do much. I actually think that (Rioli’s) looks worse and was let off.”

Fellow panelist Nick Riewoldt agreed that the Blues needed to use Rioli’s appeal as the basis for their challenge, should they decide to make one by 11am AEST on Tuesday.

“Whether you are jumping in the air in a marking contest or to intercept the ball from a handball is irrelevant,” he said as Brown added: “It should be irrelevant.”

“So they walk in (to the court), you press play on the Willie Rioli tape and you walk out five minutes later – that’s how it should go down,” Riewoldt said.

Brown felt Rioli’s argument that his conduct was “not unreasonable” should apply to Cripps as well.

“The argument for Willie Rioli (was) he couldn’t reasonably expect contact in that situation and obviously had to brace – but so did Patty Cripps.”

Fans were shocked back in Round 1 when Rioli escaped sanction for the hit on Rowell, with some calling on the Eagle to “buy a Lotto ticket”.

Koch statement awkward for Hinkley? | 01:36

Gerard Whateley said the Blues were in the process of preparing for an appeal on Monday night, but didn’t think the Rioli comparison was as “cookie cutter” as some believed.

“First they have to show it’s not a bump. The second part is there an alternative?” he said.

AFL360 co-host Mark Robinson agreed with coach Michael Voss that it was a “split second decision” for Cripps.

“My flinch reaction was: ‘You’re gone Patrick Cripps’ … but I said the same with Willie Rioli,” he said.

“We were gobsmacked at the time they appealed and got off. I don’t think the court can suspend him if they put up the Rioli (vision).

“But my gut feels is you can’t have that in our sport anymore.

Feet rebound from cap scandal | 02:10

“He didn’t mean to do it – but what’s more important? He didn’t mean to do it or the health and safety of Ah Chee?”

On the Couch host Garry Lyon believes Cripps’ actions are worthy of suspension, claiming it was “not a great surprise” the Match Review handed down a two-game ban on Monday.

“It’s a hold your breath moment,” he said.

“I don’t think in this state that we are in and the game we’ve got, if that goes unpunished, then we are kidding ourselves.”

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Carlton Blues fixture, run home, injury list, Michael Voss press conference, Leigh Montagna says team is vulnerable

Carlton Blues fixture, run home, injury list, Michael Voss press conference, Leigh Montagna says team is vulnerable

Dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna fears Carlton’s terrific 2022 could be undone by ill-timed personnel issues, which has left Michael Voss’ team vulnerable at the most crucial stage of the season.

Michael Voss’ Blues are clinging to seventh spot on the ladder after a 33-point loss to Brisbane on Sunday – their fourth loss from their past six games.

They’ve been inside the top eight at the end of every round so far 1 this season, but are now in serious danger of missing out on finals with St Kilda and, particularly, Richmond and the Western Bulldogs still well placed to squeeze into the top eight. The last team to be in finals places every round except the last was Carlton in 1977.

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The Blues need to win one more game to guarantee a finals spot. But they would have upset one of Melbourne (3rd) or Collingwood (4th) over the next fortnight, while the Bulldogs and Tigers have ‘easier’ final games.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s First CrackMontagna said the Blues now had their “work cut out to play finals.”

It comes amid player availability issues in the most important part of the ground for Carlton, with George Hewett (back) and Matt Kennedy (fractured jaw) sidelined due to injury, while skipper Patrick Cripps could also miss matches due to a bump on Lion Cal Ah Chee that will attract MRO scrutiny.

Ban likely for Cripps after heavy bump | 02:00

The Blues have been renowned for their ruthless nature at the coalface this year, but Montagna on Sunday night pointed out the Blues had lost the hardball get count in the past two games against Brisbane and Adelaide by -20 and -15 respectively.

“They’re starting to get beaten up around the footy … and without that big three in the midfield, they look vulnerable to me,” Montagna told First Crack.

“They don’t look like the same side at the start of the year that was brutal, physical, aggressive, that was just bullying and beating up on teams through the midfield.

“The ‘Voss gloss’ might’ve worn off. They’ve got their work cut out now and they’re going to have to do some soul searching to try and play finals – and it might undo what has been such a terrific season up until the last sort of four or five weeks.”

Montagna also pointed out the Blues had only been in front for 26 per cent of game time in their matches against top-eight teams this year, while dual premiership Kangaroo David King highlighted the Blues are 10-1 this year when they’ve won the clearance count by at least +5 but 3-6 when that count has been +4 or less.

Brisbane stay in the hunt for top four | 02:26

“They’re clearance-based and contest-based – and they lose their best commodity,” King said.

In a must-win game, the Lions stunned the Blues in the first term with a fierce tackling display, laying 20 tackles to 13. That prompted dominance at clearance (+11), inside 50s (+13) and on the scoreboard (+ 29).

King said the Lions’ pressure was awesome, making Carlton look “jittery” and “panicky with the ball”.

The Kangaroos great put the heat on Blues backman Adam Saad, who finished with 24 disposals and 10 interceptions, but was arguably beaten by direct Brisbane opponent Charlie Cameron, who kicked two telling goals.

King pointed to a sloppy kick-in from Saad that led to a turnover and Dayne Zorko goal during the first term.

“What is that? I mean come on. This is high-level stakes,” he said.

“That’s not AFL standard, just waltzing out like that and just trying to be a little bit arrogant again with the ball.

Carlton Press Conference | 06:10

“He’s had a fantastic year, but his last two weeks he’s left opportunities on the floor for the opposition to take – and they have.”

Despite his club’s predicament, Voss said it must “embrace where we are at”.

“We are all about what’s in front of us. They are games to look forward to. We are playing in games that matter. This is an important phase in the development of our group,” Voss told reporters on Sunday.

“We need that exposure. We are going to the MCG next week against Melbourne, it will be a big game. The Collingwood game is being talked about already so we are getting exposure to these games and there can only be growth off the back of it.

“Tonight, it’s a bit of a tough one (lesson) but we’ve got to bring that fresh energy and we’ve got to correct ourselves pretty quick and we’ve got to get on with it.”

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AFL 2022 news: Patrick Cripps hit on Callum Ah Chee, video, Brisbane vs Carlton

AFL 2022 news: Patrick Cripps hit on Callum Ah Chee, video, Brisbane vs Carlton

Things went from bad to worse for Carlton on Sunday in the second quarter against the Brisbane Lions.

Being blown off the park as they found themselves down 38-2, the Blues needed a spark and skipper Patrick Cripps tried to deliver it.

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A long kick down the line from Adam Cerra was punched high into the air by Brisbane’s Daniel Rich and Lions teammate Callum Ah Chee camped himself underneath it.

As the ball came down, Cripps came in at a hundred miles an hour and launched off the deck and flattened Ah Chee with a nasty hip and shoulder.

The impact of the hit left Ah Chee flat on the Gabba surface as several Lions teammates remonstrated with Cripps.

Medical staff rushed to Ah Chee’s side and he remained hunched over on his hands and knees before he was able to get back to his feet and under his own power make his way off the ground.

To make matters even worse for Cripps and his upcoming date with the Match Review Panel, Ah Chee was subbed out of the game with concussion, Mitch Robinson took his place.

Cripps was sixth favorite for the 2022 Brownlow Medal on TAB markets, but his name will surely contain an asterisk on the AFL’s night of nights.

“He’s much more likely to be suspended than not. The AFL’s bottom line is if you choose to bump, you’re responsible for the fallout,” Jon Ralph said on Fox Footy during the halftime show.

“This is a textbook case. He jumps off the ground, it’s not a marking contest, he doesn’t really contest the ball, he braces rather than reaches for the ball.

“Ah Chee is subbed out so it is absolutely medium impact, potentially even high impact.”

Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard was rubbed out earlier in the year for a strikingly similar hit on GWS’ Daniel Lloyd that resulted in him missing two weeks.

“It’s a tough one to watch,” former Carlton star Eddie Betts said on Fox Footy.

Carlton’s place in the finals is on the line, currently sitting seventh on the ladder one game clear of the ninth placed St Kilda.

They finish the season with games against the reigning premiers Melbourne and the running-hot Collingwood.

Failing to win any and they could find themselves standing on the outside looking in and having to secure a win without their inspirational skipper could prove to be mission impossible.

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Patrick Cripps bump on Callum Ah Chee video, Brisbane Lions vs Carlton Blues, Match Review Round 21, MRO

Patrick Cripps bump on Callum Ah Chee video, Brisbane Lions vs Carlton Blues, Match Review Round 21, MRO

As his side enters a crucial stage of the season, star Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps will face Match Review Officer scrutiny after a collision with Cal Ah Chee led to the Brisbane defender being subbed out of Sunday’s game.

Cripps copped jeers from Lions fans at The Gabba after making contact with Ah Chee during the second quarter of the Blues’ clash with Brisbane at The Gabba.

Ah Chee leapt into the air and got hands on the ball before Cripps also jumps off the ground and makes contact from behind. Ace Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph pointed out on Fox Footy, Cripps braced rather than reached for the ball yet it wasn’t a marking contest, nor did it appear Cripps was contesting the ball.

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Ah Chee was helped from the ground before being subbed out under concussion protocols and replaced by Mitch Robinson.

Speaking on Fox Footy, Ralph said Cripps’ incident could be assessed by the MRO as medium or even high impact, which would lead to a suspension of multiple weeks.

While Cripps’ accidental landing may have contributed to Ah Chee’s injury, Ralph said precedent indicated that it wouldn’t necessarily help Cripps’ case. Ralph pointed to the ban Magpie Brayden Maynard copped in March, despite a secondary action playing a role in Giant Daniel Lloyd’s injury.

“He’s much more likely to be suspended than not. The AFL’s bottom line is if you choose to bump, you’re responsible for the fallout,” Ralph told Fox Footy.

“This is a textbook case. He jumps off the ground, it’s not a marking contest, he doesn’t really contest the ball, he braces rather than reaches for the ball.

“I don’t think there’s a lot of middle ground. It’s either a football incident and an accident and he gets off, or it’s got the potential to be high impact given the concussion and he could miss two weeks

“It’s probably going to go to court, it’s certainly going to be scrutinized very heavily by Michael Christian. I think he’s in trouble.”

Carlton needs to win at least one more match to secure a 2022 finals berth. But should the Blues lose to the Lions on Sunday then be without their skipper for clashes against Melbourne and Collingwood, their task will be more difficult.

Callum Ah Chee of the Lions was subbed out. Picture: Bradley KanarisSource: Getty Images

Cripps is also fifth favorite to take out this year’s Brownlow Medal.

“We’re watching in slow motion unfortunately and there’s not a lot of time to think,” triple premiership Lion Jonathan Brown told Fox Footy. “When ‘Crippa’ decided to take off and contest that ball, he wasn’t quite sure of the timing of it all.

“I think he should get off, I think it’s a football incident. But Jonny Ralph knows the precedent better than anyone.”

Triple All-Australian Eddie Betts added: “It’s a tough one to judge, because he turns his body right at the end. But Callum Ah Chee is convicted and gone off.”

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AFL news 2022: Richmond defeat Brisbane, Lions MCG record, finals, ladder, premiership race

AFL news 2022: Richmond defeat Brisbane, Lions MCG record, finals, ladder, premiership race

Richmond have pulled off the biggest comeback win in 2022, after coming back from 42 points down to top Brisbane on Sunday afternoon.

The Lions will be left kicking themselves after coughing up the seven-goal lead as the Tigers finals hopes remain alive with the win.

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Lions defender Darcy Gardiner turned the ball over in the dying seconds as the ball ended up in the hands of Tom Lynch who kicked the sealer to claim the 15.14 (104) to 13.13 (97) win.

Mitch Robinson and Charlie Cameron missed shots late in the fourth quarter as they failed to make the most of the opportunities presented to them.

Richmond at the other end made no mistake as they stormed home in front of a raucous MCG crowd.

The damning loss for the Lions thoroughly exposes the biggest hurdle in their premiership hunt.

Not for eight-years have the Lions emerged victorious at the MCG. The latest loss makes it a damning 11 straight defeats.

With the league no longer in Covid protocols, the Grand Final is set to return to the home of football for the foreseeable future and until the Lions show they’re a serious threat on the road … they won’t be adding to their trophy cabinet any time soon.

The Lions are currently fourth favorite according to Sportsbet to win the premiership, behind Geelong, Melbourne and Sydney.

Brisbane finish the 2022 home and away season with games against Carlton, St Kilda and Melbourne. Two of those games take place at the Gabba.

The loss has them sitting in fifth spot on the ladder, equal on points with the Sydney Swans in fourth.

For Richmond the win propels them into the ninth spot on the ladder, two points behind St Kilda with games against Port Adelaide, Hawthorn and Essendon to come to close out their season.

Win all three and they’ll almost certainly book a finals spot, two and the run the gauntlet.

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