Essendon captain Zach Merrett has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the AFL’s match review officer (MRO) following a high contact incident involving Sydney’s Nick Blakey during a recent match at Marvel Stadium. The encounter occurred in the fourth quarter, with Essendon leading 71 to 63, when Merrett, in an attempt to tap the ball, inadvertently struck Blakey in the head.
Blakey briefly lay on the ground before being assessed for a head injury but subsequently cleared to play against Carlton on Friday night. While Merrett was penalised with a free kick, the AFL has confirmed that he will not face suspension or fines. This means he will be available for Essendon’s upcoming game against the Western Bulldogs and remains a contender for the prestigious Brownlow Medal.
In its rationale for not sanctioning Merrett, the MRO stated that he genuinely aimed for the ball and did not breach his duty of care towards Blakey. The MRO explained that both players were approaching the contest from opposite directions and that Merrett’s intent was clear.
Support for Merrett also came from Sydney’s coach Dean Cox, who remarked on the nature of both players vying for the ball. Essendon coach Brad Scott noted he hadn’t closely reviewed the incident but stood by his player, while Richmond great Jack Riewoldt voiced his agreement during a Fox Footy broadcast, labelling the incident a legitimate play in the context of the game.
This incident illustrates the fine line players navigate in competitive matches, where split-second decisions can lead to unintended consequences but may not necessarily warrant disciplinary actions.