In a recent AFL match at Marvel Stadium, St Kilda’s Liam O’Connell experienced a concussion after being pushed into a marking contest by Richmond’s Rhyan Mansell. This incident, which occurred late in the first quarter of the game—won by St Kilda with a score of 20.15 (135) to Richmond’s 7.11 (53)—has ignited fresh debates over the need to ban such dangerous tactics in the sport.
Following the push, O’Connell collided with Richmond’s Tom Lynch and fell to the ground. He appeared disoriented as he left the field and was subsequently substituted for teammate Angus Hastie. The dangerous nature of the incident was highlighted by former AFL player Garry Lyon during the Fox Footy broadcast, who stated, “That is dangerous. That is what needs to be outlawed. That’s got to be stamped out.”
Jason Dunstall, another AFL legend, echoed this sentiment, urging for measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Interestingly, despite Mansell’s clear infringement leading to O’Connell’s injury, it was Lynch who was awarded a free kick, as the umpire ruled that he had been held by St Kilda’s Anthony Caminiti.
This incident has led to a growing consensus among players, commentators, and fans that the practice of pushing players during contests poses significant risks and must be addressed to ensure player safety in AFL.