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Does Pendlebury deserve a ban for open-hand strike on Neale?

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Collingwood veteran Scott Pendlebury is set to come under MRO scrutiny for his open-hand strike on Brisbane star Lachie Neale in Thursday night’s win at the Gabba.

The incident occurred late in the third term with both players manned up on each other at the stoppage with Pendlebury hitting Neale in the stomach with his hand.

Neale immediately fell to the ground after the blow and was awarded a free kick.

While Pendlebury apologised post-match and told Channel Seven that he didn’t mean to hit his opponent where he got him, the 387-gamer also said that he’ll take whatever punishment comes his way.

SEN’s Sam Edmund believes that Pendlebury can’t be banned and will instead receive a fine after a similar incident occurred just weeks ago with Carlton’s George Hewett and Neale who struck each other at a stoppage.

“It was almost like a karate chop, an open hand whack to the guts of Lachie Neale,” Edmund said on SEN Breakfast.

“He can't be suspended, can he? It has to be a fine.

“That is George Hewett and Lachie Neale from Opening Round at the same ground. This is where the AFL gets itself into a little bit of a bother.

“They had the chance (to stamp out this kind of act with a suspension). I know they’re different, but they had the chance to suspend George Hewett and they totally botched it.

“They didn't suspend Lachie Neale in that interaction with George Hewett for retaliation strike either.

“Scott Pendlebury can't go. Both incidents are while waiting at a stoppage. They decided not to assess George Hewitt's punch to the face of Lachie Neale as intentional.

“They said, ‘No that's careless because it's around the ball, they’re waiting for a stoppage’.

“So straight away Scotty Pendlebury’s can't be intentional, can it for all intents and purposes? They're waiting for a stoppage. Straight away it's careless.”

As well as the AFL already setting a precedent, Edmund is certain it’ll be a fine even if the AFL grades the strike as intentional given it was low impact and a body blow.

“It's going to be low impact and it's to the body,” Edmund said.

“So it's a fine and even if they did decide to be inconsistent, which we know they can be … it’s low impact and it's to the body.

“So that's a fine as well under the matrix.

“I can't see how he gets suspended.”

The Magpies next play Hawthorn in Adelaide during Gather Round.

Pendlebury has never once been banned across his 387-game AFL career.

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‘Wanted to raise the bar’: The ‘damning’ stat that ‘stung’ Pies ahead of epic Lions statement

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Collingwood coach Craig McRae said the Magpies came to the Gabba intent on making a “statement” after their poor start to the season.

And while it wasn’t perfect, the Magpies delivered on their promise in Thursday night’s grand final rematch, beating the Brisbane Lions by 20 points.

McRae emphasised his team’s focus on pressure and tackling going into the game, which it delivered in spades with 85 tackles – including 16 inside 50.

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Pies beat Lions in big GF rematch clash | 02:38

“Clearly it was a step forward,” McRae said.

“Parts of our game were there to be seen but not consistently in the last three or four games, and in particular our pressure was something we wanted to raise the bar on because us at our best is a great pressure team.

“It was a damning number we looked at earlier in the week. Last year we were No. 1 in pressure or close to it, (this year) we’re 13th.

“It almost stung us all, we looked at the number and said: ‘Cmon, that’s not us’.

“So we tried to make a statement tonight in some ways or just put it right in front of the players’ face.

“We’ve got to pressure the opposition better than what we were. We had many times where one person was tackling on his own, and that’s not us.

“We got to work during the week on it and it was really pleasing for it to be seen.”

‘We’re 0-3, let-s not catastrophise it’ | 09:02

The Magpies led by 24 points at quarter-time but were kept scoreless in the second quarter as the Lions fought back to lead by five points at the main break.

“We were under the pump. They’re a good team and on their home deck they were always going to get a roll on,” McRae said.

“That stoppage part of the game in the second quarter they completely dominated.

“Credit to our backs, we were lucky to be in the game. I thought the damn wall would open at some stage, and we were lucky, probably, going into the break with just a small margin against us.”

‘Jason has gone floppy Sarah!’ | 00:50

McRae hailed the contribution of his senior players, particularly captain Darcy Moore, who was struggling for form entering the contest.

“I was really pleased with Darcy, leading from the front,” McRae said.

“Him and ‘Howie’ (Jeremy Howe) … just big spoils and halving contests.

“We’ve had a bit against some way in terms of the pile on but we’re a pretty proud group.

“You don’t get to see our Monday to Friday (work with) that energy and motivation for wanting to improve or not be happy with (our performances).

“We needed to get this thing moving, and it was pleasing that our best players played well tonight.”

Those best players included Nick Daicos, who starred with 30 possessions in his return to Collingwood’s half-back line.

“Part out of our game that wasn’t going was our defensive transition, we weren’t scoring from the back half and were turning the ball over a lot in that area,” McRae said.

“Nick for 18 months was arguably one of the best players in the competition playing half back.

“We moved him back there (from the midfield) to get some run and some overlap and some great ball use.”

‘Making it sound like we’re 0-13’: Lions coach hits out, won’t ‘press the panic button’ amid poor start

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Lions coach Chris Fagan says it’s wrong to “catastrophise” his side’s ordinary start to season, but admits Brisbane “has work to do” after losing the grand final rematch to Collingwood.

The Lions remain without a win after three games, with two of their defeats, including Thursday night’s 20-point loss to the Magpies, coming at the Gabba, where Brisbane went undefeated last season.

“We certainly haven’t had the start that we hoped for, and we’ve dropped two home games which has been very unusual for us over the last period of time, so we’ve got a bit of work to do to find ourselves,” Fagan admitted.

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Chris Fagan isn’t panicking amid a slow start.Source: FOX SPORTS

Later, he doubled down in a testy moment, saying: “You’re making it sound like we’re 0-13. We’re zero and three and there’s 20 games to go.

“It’s not a great start, but let’s not catastrophise it either, would be the way I’d look at it.

“I understand your question but I don’t want to buy into that.”

‘Pies of old’ answer big query; ‘shut the gate’ on Lions after ‘head-scratcher’ loss: 3-2-1

‘Just weird’: Greats’ verdict on Pies champ’s ‘out of character’ act amid call for hard stance

‘Come on’: Greats roast ‘petrified’ goal umpires as AFL thriller slows to a crawl again

Exposing footage shows Pendlebury whack | 00:31

Fagan said he wouldn’t “press the panic button” with players that were down on form.

“Some of our players are not at their best at the moment. I can’t explain to you why, and that’s sport for you,” he said.

“Sometimes you go through form slumps … so we’ve got to keep working away with those guys.

“I’ve trusted them for a long time and they’ve delivered so I’m not going to jump off them just because we’ve lost three games in a row.

“We’ve turned up and played pretty well for the last five or six years, and right now we’re just having a little slump, and you’ve got to remember that that’s teams sometimes – it’s the life of a team.

“Sometimes you go through a form slump. I’ve got to help find their form again – that’s my job.

“They’re the players that we’ve got.”

Fagan felt his side’s performance against the Magpies was the Lions’ best display of a season that has also included losses to Carlton and Fremantle.

“I felt tonight we probably played better than we have all year so far, in a way,” Fagan said.

“Even though we didn’t get the result that we were after, we were better in lots of ways tonight.”

“They (Collingwood) tackled better than us, but what I would say is that we invited their pressure to tackle as well in a sense.

“We know we need to get more tackles and we need to be more effective with them as well.”

AFL greats fume over more slow reviews | 00:39

Fagan was left to lament a poor opening quarter, with Collingwood leading by 24 points at the first break.

Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale led Brisbane’s second-quarter fightback after quarter-time, and finished the match with 35 disposals despite hurting his ankle in the third quarter.

“I reckon it’ll be pretty sore tomorrow,” Fagan said of Neale’s ankle.

“It was a good effort by him to keep playing. He was able to finish the game but he wasn’t moving as well once he did that. It was a bit of a moment in the game.”

LISTEN: McRae’s bold call pays off, where to now for Lions?

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Join Damian Barrett and Nat Edwards for AFL Daily

Jack Crisp celebrates a goal during the R3 match between Collingwood and Brisbane at the Gabba on March 28, 2024. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

IN TODAY’S AFL Daily, star journalists Damian Barrett and Nat Edwards join all the dots on football’s big issues.

>> START LISTENING NOW

– Damo and Nat unpack the Magpies’ win over Brisbane on Thursday night
– Praise for Nick Daicos, John Noble and Tom Mitchell
– Is Scott Pendlebury in trouble with the MRO?
– Why the Lions could be 1-6 by round seven
– A look ahead to Good Friday footy
– Justin Longmuir and Matthew Nicks go head-to-head in a battle of re-signed coaches
– Friday Fodder: Nick Daicos’ fashion faux pas

Don’t miss a minute! Subscribe to AFL Daily NOW at Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Google.

Why Cornes is backing Melbourne to beat Port Adelaide in SA despite losing May

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Despite Steven May being out of the side and the game being in South Australia, Kane Cornes is tipping Melbourne to beat Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

The Power great feels the Dees, who smashed Hawthorn last week, beat the Bulldogs in Round 1 and lost to Sydney in Opening Round, take better form into the matchup.

Port has beaten West Coast and Richmond comfortably in successive weeks, two teams expected to be out of finals contention.

“My tipping was poor last year because I tried to be too cute with it,” Cornes told SEN’s Sportsday.

“I tried to pick upsets or think that a team was due for a win or due for a loss.

“This year, I’m just going to go with the team that is in better form.

“I think Melbourne are in far superior form than Port Adelaide. Albeit, Port has played West Coast and Richmond.

“I just don’t see too many holes in Melbourne’s side at the moment.”

Port Adelaide has recalled Jed McEntee for the game, with Dylan Williams making way.

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IF the Crows want us to believe in their potential … THEN

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IF the Crows want us to believe in their potential … THEN

THE 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership Season is here, and Damian Barrett’s Sliding Doors is back!

So put your seatbelt on and enjoy the ride as Damo takes off the gloves and takes aim at your team.

So what is he saying about your club? What’s he saying about the AFL? You can’t say that, Damo, can you? Check it out below.

>> Check out the latest from Damian Barrett 

IF …

the Adelaide Coulda-Shouldas want the footy industry to believe in their high-end potential …

THEN …

they’ll beat the Dockers in Perth on Friday night. Season 2024 has barely started, but the missed opportunities are already making it look like 2023.

Izak Rankine looks dejected after Adelaide’s loss to Gold Coast at People First Stadium in round one, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

IF ..

modern day protocols have effectively banned the old-fashioned bring-your-mouthguards training sessions …

THEN …

the Lions need to find the modern alternative before the 2024 season becomes a disaster.

Zac Bailey looks dejected after Brisbane’s loss to Collingwood in round three, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

IF …

Weitering is among the ins …

THEN …

what a positive that is for the Blues. Managed to cover for him in the opening two wins against Brisbane and Richmond, he’s back to play on Roos gun Larkey on Good Friday.

Jacob Weitering at Carlton training on September 18, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

IF …

Tom Mitchell wasn’t wanted by his previous club, Hawthorn, which happily moved him on as it sought, successfully, to manipulate a low-ladder finish in 2023 …

THEN …

his current one has benefitted greatly from him. Official votes in last year’s Norm Smith Medal, and yet another result-shaping performance in a desperately needed win against Brisbane on Thursday night. And now status as a 200-gamer has been added to a Brownlow Medal, a second placing in a Brownlow, three best-and-fairests and two All-Australians. It’s been an outstanding career.

Tom Mitchell is chaired off after his 200th game as Collingwood beat Brisbane in round three, 2024. Picture: Getty Images

IF …

I really, really like the concept of an Essendon Edge, and understand that Brad Scott put it out there publicly to create accountability of his players …

THEN …

I’m going to need to consistently see it, not just hear it. As we all know in all facets of life, it’s easy to talk, harder to act.

Isaac Heeney wrestles with Nick Hind during the round two match between Sydney and Essendon at the SCG, March 23, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

IF …

Sean Darcy will miss another four matches, maybe more …

THEN …

I cannot wait to see how this Dockers team looks when he returns. Others are adamant it won’t work, but I’m really excited about the prospects of a fully fit Darcy-Jackson combo. 

Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy during Fremantle’s official team photo day at Cockburn ARC on January 24, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

IF …

big Hawk, at 35 years and eight months of age, at 105kg-plus (realise that referencing a footballer’s weight these days is a no-no in some eyes, but it’s a positive reference and Tom is old school so he won’t mind anyway), and already has 349 games behind him …

THEN …

don’t assume this will be his final season. Four of his five All-Australian gongs have come after he turned 30. He’s still explosive off the mark, still the best in the game at timing his leads, still a fantastic set and in-play goalkicker, still crucial to a grand club hoping to win yet another Grand Final. One of the great footy stories.

Tom Hawkins, wife Emma and children Arabella, Primrose and Henry pose for a photo at GMHBA Stadium on March 26, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

IF …

games one (big win against Richmond) and two (win versus Adelaide) were good for the Dimma-led Suns …

THEN …

game three (a dreadful loss to Western Bulldogs) was back to normal programming. Need to work on a lot of strategy over this bye weekend.

Damien Hardwick during Gold Coast’s match against the Western Bulldogs in R2, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

IF …

all the best AFL defenders – big, small and in-between – are lined up on the schoolyard wall, and I’ve got first pick …

THEN …

without hesitation I’m taking Sam Taylor. Yet to turn 25, nowhere near his peak, owns the key to this football club.

Sam Taylor marks during the round two match between West Coast and Greater Wester Sydney at Optus Stadium, March 24, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

IF …

I’ve been very critical of some aspects of this rebuild …

THEN …

I’m not backing away now. There are many problems, particularly midfield depth (and yes, I know Will Day is injured), and the backline. Having said all that, I am prepared to give the Hawks a few more weeks of the 2024 season to work through their problems.

Conor Nash looks dejected after Hawthorn’s loss to Melbourne in round two, 2024. Picture: Getty Images

IF …

there’s a lot for Demons supporters to endure as problems continue to explode on (Steven May’s broken ribs and damaged vertebrae) and off (a federal MP using parliamentary privilege to back over some problems in the past) field …

THEN …

beautiful comfort still comes in the form of Jack Viney. Playing Game No.200 on Saturday night. There hasn’t been a tougher Dee in this club’s history.

Jai Newcombe is tackled by Jack Viney during Hawthorn’s clash against Melbourne in round two, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

IF …

the kids in the midfield seem certain to progress to A-grade status …

THEN …

the threadbare backline will be a major worry for a while yet. The Roos need to show some resolve on Good Friday, too. Their record on this day is one win (2018), five losses (2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023), with an average losing margin of 56 points.

Aidan Corr competes with Jesse Hogan during North Melbourne’s clash against Greater Western Sydney in round one, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

IF …

Steven May won’t be at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night …

THEN …

Big Charlie and Todd need to cash in. It won’t be easy, though. Lever has been named and though he will banged up, is a star. 

Charlie Dixon celebrates a goal during Port Adelaide’s clash against West Coast in round one, 2024. Picture: Getty Images

IF …

Dimma took 10 matches to register his first win as coach of Richmond …

THEN …

I really hope Adem Yze doesn’t have to wait as long. 

Adem Yze during the round one match between Carlton and Richmond at the MCG, March 14, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

IF …

Jack Higgins won goal of the year in 2018 as a Tiger …

THEN …

he may win it again in 2024 as a Saint. Glad they didn’t, but umpires should’ve intervened before both of those goals, both at the MCG. In 2018, Higgins threw the ball before manoeuvring his way around a goalpost and retrieving and extraordinarily kicking it through for a goal at the Punt Rd end. Last week, he was nearly a metre outside the boundary line when he launched a long bomb at the city end.

IF …

Warner, Heeney, Gulden and Rowbottom are controlling matters in the middle, Blakey running amok off half-back, Papley playing tricks and getting inside opponents’ heads up forward and Grundy puppeteering the main moves …

THEN …

this team has become super-fun to watch. Love the attitude, love the controlled flair. 

Chad Warner celebrates a goal during the round two match between Sydney and Essendon at the SCG, March 23, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

IF …

one of the greatest miracles in the game’s history occurred the last time West Coast played Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium …

THEN …

it would be an even greater miracle if the Eagles were to win again on Sunday.

Jamie Cripps celebrates a goal during West Coast’s clash against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium in round 23, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

IF …

footy usually produces more lows than highs …

THEN …

you wouldn’t know that by simply observing Cody Weightman. He’s always smiling, always bouncing. And he’s always doing the team thing, no matter the numbers on the scoreboard. I love it, rapt for him that he kicked six goals last week.

AND THIS ONE’S FOR THE AFL

IF …

there have been innumerable problems with the AFL’s illicit drugs policy since its inception in 2005 …

THEN …

the single biggest problem has been the inability of the game to make all facets of the industry, and even more importantly the general public, aware that it runs separately to the performance-enhancing code. I have long maintained that it is more a code of conduct than a drugs policy, as from its outset it deliberately never sought punishment. We are talking about illegal drugs here, and in my eyes it’s not harsh to say to a footballer that if he or she wants to play in the AFL system, you don’t do drugs. I have never agreed with the safeguarding of players being named, and the lies that it has compelled people to make over 20 years, but I am understanding of why that aspect is dear to those who strongly believe in the medical model of the policy. I do know of many players which that has helped. Whatever gains the policy has offered have always been eroded by the constant public relations mess. And making changes to it won’t matter one bit unless that aspect is properly addressed.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon speaks to reporters in Sydney on March 6, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos