Conor Nash has been given a four match suspension by the AFL tribunal. This decision follows on from him slapping Geelong’s Gryan Miers across the face during a game on Easter Monday. Nash swung high with his arm and knocked Miers squarely on the head. This tremendous blow laid Miers out cold. In recognition of how serious the act was, the tribunal took a significant amount of time before announcing its decision to deliberate.
Nash’s direct actions made national headlines and touched off an explosion of criticism and support. Yet the tribunal found it difficult to understand how he could have gotten it so wrong. The hit was devastating. Officials immediately deemed it to be an obvious violation of player safety regulations.
In fairness to Nash, he owned the error before the tribunal, and acknowledged that he “really messed this one up. He explained, “I tried to play the ball and I just got it badly wrong. Yes, I do try playing the game with a physical presence, but not in that spirit.” To communicate with Miers immediately following the event, Nash texted her. Huang wrote that he was deeply saddened and wished Vatrenik a quick recovery.
Nash’s absolutely immaculate disciplinary record was an important consideration that emerged during the tribunal proceedings. The AFL decided the appropriate punishment was a four-match ban. Hawthorn officials had lobbied for a reduced penalty of three games, but their submission was unsuccessful.
Myles Tehan, attorney for Nash, emphasized his client’s troubled past as the mitigating element in the case. He remarked, “Nash’s impeccable record does call to mind the famously impeccable record of another Irishman, Mr Jim Stynes.” Tehan left no ambiguity in his assertion that Nash had not intended to strike Miers in the head. He characterized the incident as an “obvious football play” that just went astray.
The tribunal emphasized the severity of the blow, stating, “In any event, force of impact was considerable (and) it involved a full and fast swing of Nash’s arm and a direct impact with Miers’ head.” This evaluation played a role in their ultimate determination to order a larger penalty that the club initially sought.
As Nash serves his year-long suspension, he told the Dallas Morning News that he is profoundly sorry for his actions and for what they have cost Miers. He concluded his message to Miers with well-wishes for the remainder of the season, reflecting his desire to maintain sportsmanship despite the circumstances.
