Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says he’s baffled by the AFL tribunal’s decision to hit Gold Coast Suns youngster Steven May with a three-week ban for his bump on Tom Rockliff.
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The tribunal found May guilty of engaging in rough conduct with the Lions skipper and will now miss his side’s clashes with Adelaide, West Coast and the Magpies.
The Suns announced on Wednesday that they would not appeal the decision, but Buckley said he didn’t agree with the suspension.
“Personally I don’t agree with the decision,” Buckley is quoted as saying by AAP.
“I think the decision went against him (because) there was an alternate option for him to contest the footy – and absolutely there was – but if you’re 30m out from goal and you dive on the footy then it’s a free kick against you.
“I can understand the thought process of the kid and why he attacked the body first before coming down to the ball.”
Rockliff was knocked unconscious by the bump as he and May contested the ball directly in front of Brisbane’s goal at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
The AFL match review panel offered May a two-match ban with an early guilty plea, however he unsuccessfully contested the ban at the tribunal.
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