Another Fremantle star has paid the price for rubbing the head of a rival, nearly four months on from Patrick Voss forcing a mid-season rule change from the AFL to stamp out ‘fake tough guy’ acts.
Voss was forced to apologise to Melbourne’s Harrison Petty after ruffling his hair and making a crybaby gesture earlier this year. Now Dockers defender Luke Ryan has coughed up a free kick for a similar act in Thursday night’s top-of-the-ladder blockbuster against the Sydney Swans.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Boos rain down as Freo star punished over forbidden act
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Swans star Chad Warner earned a free kick after tackling Ryan inside 50 but his snapped set shot surprisingly fell short, prompting Ryan to hit back.
Ryan laughed in Warner’s face and rubbed his head — with Warner quick to appeal to the umpire, successfully securing a free kick for his side from the top of the goal square.
Warner returned the favour with a laugh and a bump on Ryan.
“This is a huge decision, it’s going to give Sydney a goal,” Alister Nicholson said on Channel 7 as Charlie Curnow duly converted his gift.
Replays showed Ryan clearly targeted Warner before making the decision to rub his rival’s head.
“This rule got brought in because Patrick Voss did it to Harrison Petty earlier in the year, so the AFL brought it in to stop this — and it’s backfired (on Fremantle),” Luke Hodge said.
Asked if he likes the rule, Hodge added: “I can understand why they do (pay the free kick) because it escalates, but giving away a goal for that is a bit harsh.”
Kane Cornes replied: “That’s a no. It’s a no from me (too).”
Brian Taylor also disapproved of the rule.
Curnow’s goal from the free kick helped Sydney take a 2.6 (18) to 0.5 (5) lead into the quarter-time break.
