Jack Crisp record streak in doubt after tackle; St Kilda Saints out of race for Brisbane Lions’ Lachie Neale
Updated ,first published
In today’s AFL Briefing:
- Saints coach Ross Lyon has declared that Lachie Neale is not in their sights after meeting with him.
- Collingwood defender Billy Frampton is set to miss the Magpies’ blockbuster clash against Carlton but veteran Jack Crisp’s record streak of games remains intact.
- The WorkSafe Victoria investigation into the AFL over contact training was sparked by a complaint from concussion campaigner Peter Jess.
Saints bow out of Neale race, remain in wildcard hunt after downing Port
Andrew Wu
St Kilda are out of the race for Brisbane Lions midfield star Lachie Neale on a day the Saints withstood a spirited revival from Port Adelaide to remain in the hunt for a wildcard berth.
In a game marred by injury, including a potentially serious ankle issue to Power superstar Zak Butters, the Saints led by six goals at half-time but were outplayed after the long break before holding on by 14 points – 13.9 (87) to 10.13 (73).
The Saints have been linked to dual Brownlow medallist Neale, who played under coach Ross Lyon early in his career at Fremantle, but are prioritising retaining their midfield core rather than acquiring talent from elsewhere.
Lyon and Neale caught up at an exclusive restaurant where it was decided the Saints would not pursue the midfield any further.
“It’s just really not possible for us with everything where our young players are out of contract,” Lyon said after the Saints’ win on Saturday.
“We didn’t miss out because it would have been something we could pursue, and the relationship was strong, and that could have got done if we were in a position to do that. But we’re not.
“I didn’t want any noise for Lachie, his club, and us in the middle of it. We’re clearly out. It’s done.”
Young star Darcy Wilson is out of contract at the end of the year, while Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is out at the end of next season. The Saints spent big last season when they recruited Tom De Koning, Silvagni, Sam Flanders and Liam Ryan in a hectic trade period.
Wanganeen-Milera and Hugo Garcia starred for the Saints in the midfield.
Neale, 33, has had another stellar season with the Lions and is a key player as they build their assault for a third straight premiership.
A tumultuous off-season led to the break-up of his marriage, and his wife Jules and their two young children, Piper and Freddie, moved back to Perth. Amid the turmoil at the start of the year, Neale stood down as Lions co-captain.
Collingwood remain a potential new home for the two-time Lions flag hero.
Coach Craig McRae has spoken with the unrestricted free agent, who is also weighing up whether to stay in Brisbane.
“Until any free agent is signed, I have said this for a number of weeks, we have a strategic plan looking at who is available. We will just keep that hat in the ring, and see how we go with that,” McRae said during the week.
Lyon said the Saints will make a call in the coming fortnight on when spearhead Max King will return, but he will not play at any level this week despite promising form on the training track.
Port were brave in defeat, losing Butters late in the third quarter and spearhead Mitch Georgiades to concussion in the second term. Defender Lachie Jones suffered a rib injury just before three-quarter-time while utility Jack Lukosius battled almost the entire game with a calf complaint.
Butters, expected to leave Port when his contract expires at end of the season, may well have played his final game in Power colours if scans in the coming days reveal damage to an ankle syndesmosis.
The stand-in captain grabbed the top of his foot and lower shin, a gesture more in keeping with syndesmosis damage than a typical ankle sprain.
Butters was instrumental to Port’s fightback, amassing 11 possessions in the third quarter before landing awkwardly in a marking contest.
“[It] didn’t look great,” Port coach Josh Carr said. “Obviously ankle and to what extent syndesmosis, who knows? It’s obviously not looking good. The vision obviously speaks for itself, so we have to wait and see.
“He’d be obviously pretty flat, as we are pretty flat with losing a player and obviously a very good player.”
What was shaping to be a relaxed afternoon at the footy for Saints fans turned into a nervous watch.
Dominant in the first half, the Saints fell asleep in the third term but their defence, inspired by a brilliant performance by skipper Callum Wilkie and another strong game from Jack Silvagni, held strong under pressure when the game was on the line. Three times, Port closed to within a kick but could not find the go-ahead goal.
Frampton suspended, but Crisp in the clear
Andrew Wu
Collingwood defender Billy Frampton is set to miss the Magpies’ blockbuster clash against Carlton but veteran Jack Crisp’s record streak of games remains intact.
Frampton has been rubbed out for a match by the match review officer for a dangerous tackle on North Melbourne forward Matt Whitlock late in the final quarter of the Magpies’ four-point win on Friday night.
Frampton’s tackle was deemed as medium impact after a medical report from North on Whitlock, who played out the final minutes of the game.
Though the Pies may still appeal the decision, Frampton’s absence would further stretch a Collingwood defence already missing Darcy Moore. Veteran Jeremy Howe is also under an injury cloud after receiving treatment late in the game against North.
Crisp can build on his record 279-game streak after being cleared for a tackle which left North newcomer Tom Blamires concussed.
In another notable case this season, North small forward Paul Curtis was banned for three games for a tackle that left West Coast’s Hamish Davis with concussion.
Crisp’s case is different to Curtis’ in that he does not pin Blamires’ arms, thereby allowing his opponent to brace for a fall. Blamires, though, did not take this protective action.
The MRO ruled Crisp’s tackle did not warrant a suspension as he had shown enough duty of care to Blamires despite his injury.
“Blamires receives a handball from a teammate and is tackled from the side by Crisp. It was the view of the MRO that Crisp does not use excessive force in executing the tackle and that Blamires had both arms free for him to attempt to brace for impact with the ground,” the AFL said in its findings.
“Notwithstanding the injury suffered by Blamires, Crisp’s actions were not unreasonable in the circumstances and did not constitute a reportable offence. No further action was taken.”
Pies coach Craig McRae said on Friday night that he had not seen the incident but recognised there could be a case for his player to answer given Blamires’ injury.
“If he’s tackled him and he’s been concussed, obviously there’s something to answer for,” McRae said. “But that’ll be disappointing.”
Concussion campaigner sparks WorkSafe investigation into AFL training
Jon Pierik
The WorkSafe Victoria investigation into the AFL over contact training was sparked by a complaint from concussion campaigner Peter Jess.
Jess has written to the workplace regulator demanding a probe into whether the league and clubs had protected players from head knocks at training over the past four years, beginning from November 2022.
WorkSafe said it will provide an update to Jess by July 28 under section 131 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004).
“WorkSafe Victoria has received a request relating to an alleged contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and is investigating the matters raised,” a WorkSafe Victoria spokesman said.
An AFL spokesman said: “The AFL is aware of another complaint by Peter Jess to WorkSafe and will respond accordingly.”
Jess, also an AFL player agent, said on Saturday the AFL needed to be held to account in a bid to help professional and community-based players.
“There have been 33 deaths, 19 by suicide, from CTE. The public needs to know how and why this happens,” he said.
WorkSafe Victoria conducted a major review of the AFL’s concussion protocols in 2022 and found the league had no case to answer.
As reported by this masthead, former Victorian coroner John Cain in 2023 had called on the AFL to limit contact training after the inquest into the death of former Richmond player Shane Tuck.
The league last month told clubs contact training limits will be introduced next year, with a consultation group established to determine official parameters for future training programs. The limits will apply from the start of the 2027 pre-seasons for both AFL and AFLW.
Jess’ complaint comes amid the growing concerns about the impact of repeated head knocks and concussion at the elite and community level.
Thirty-three Australian rules players of professional, semi-professional and amateur levels have recently been posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease. Of these, 19 died by suicide, an ABC Four Corners report found.
The AFL has made more than 30 changes to on-field rules and off-field laws since 2010 in a bid to curtail concussions.
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Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.