The Brisbane Lions’ Joe Daniher insists his teammates are clear on the AFL’s adjudication of a dangerous tackle and “have to wear it” if they get it wrong.
St Kilda will challenge Dan Butler’s controversial one-match ban for rough conduct at the AFL tribunal in the latest test for the league’s crackdown.
Hawthorn legend turned commentator Jason Dunstall said in the broadcast he would be “horrified” if Butler was suspended for the chase-down tackle on Sydney’s Nick Blakey.
The Lions are yet to watch the AFL’s latest instructional video that some clubs have reportedly chosen not to view in fear of adding further doubt in the minds of their players.
A club spokesperson told AAP they would view the video later this week, but Daniher said there was no uncertainty among his team.
“We’re pretty comfortable; the AFL is doing their best to protect us,” he said on Tuesday.
“The game is so fast, there’s tiny, one-second influences that change a good tackle to a bad tackle.
“Sometimes you’ve just got to wear that a little bit.”
It will be a busy Tuesday night at the tribunal after Hawthorn captain James Sicily and Richmond forward Rhyan Mansell were referred directly at the weekend.
Sicily, in his first game back from a one-match ban, was again charged with rough conduct over the dangerous tackle that concussed Brisbane star Hugh McCluggage.
McCluggage was knocked out cold in the incident and didn’t move for almost a minute before staggering off the field with the help of trainers.
He will miss Friday night’s Gabba clash with the Swans but completed a light run at Tuesday’s training and is “in good spirits”, according to Daniher.
“After the game you couldn’t tell anything happened to him,” he said.
“It was a pretty serious incident, but hopefully it’s nothing to worry about after he has a rest and comes back.”
The Lions have lost games either side of a bye, both away to Adelaide and then Hawthorn.
All four of Brisbane’s losses have come away from home and Daniher said reviews had revealed a theme.
“All those games there’s been some patterns about how we’ve brought our energy to the contest,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s got a whole lot to do with the ground, it’s about bringing that effort and defensive pressure anywhere we play.
“We need to make sure we’re more consistent than we’re currently being.”
Daniher said he was humbled by the code’s commitment to uncle Neale Daniher’s Big Freeze initiative since he was diagnosed with MND in 2013.
This year’s campaign has already raised $2.3 million, with the Lions to host their own version of the annual MCG event at the Gabba before their game against Sydney.
“It’s incredible what he’s been able to achieve in his time since being diagnosed,” he said.
“This disease is tough, it wears you down and continually challenges you. But Neale’s inner strength and mental strength inspires everyone.”