
Renowned Hawthorn sensation Emily Bates has supported the AFLW tribunal’s verdict allowing Britney Gutknecht, who was involved in a jarring tackle resulting in a concussion, to proceed with the game. The incident saw Sydney middleman Paige Sheppard sidelined for at least a match but Bates stood her ground, maintaining that the tackle seemed fair and the consequent injury was unforeseeable.
The AFL, choosing not to challenge the tribunal’s ruling, did, however, express that potential amendments in rules to “forestall avoidable aggressive head high contact” would be contemplated. This echoes its earlier stance following the incident of Brayden Maynard evading suspension after his tackle left Angus Brayshaw concussed during the AFL finals the previous month.
A statement released by the AFL declared, “The controversial tackle resulted in Sheppard’s concussion, and it’s important to remind everyone that the AFL’s decision-making is always guided by the health and welfare of the players at its helm.” Additionally, all recorded instances this season, where suspensions did not occur, would be scrutinized attentively when the season concludes.
Bates observed Sheppard’s concussion as “unfortunate”, however, the 2022 league’s best and fairest found the tribunal’s decision fitting from a player’s perspective. On scrutinizing the tackle, she portrayed it as an embodiment of a robust football tackle where accidental injuries could occur.
She reiterated, “Such untoward incidents are an inevitable part of football and sometimes injuries do take place. However, when it’s simply a football incident, it’s essential to view it just as that. Thus, its current standing is where it ideally should be.”
Bates, along with her former Brisbane co-player Ally Anderson and acclaimed Crow player Ebony Marinoff, is set to make an impressive mark in her athletic career with a significant 75-game milestone this coming weekend.
Expressing her excitement about this remarkable achievement, Bates states, “The predominant feeling is of immense pride… successfully playing eight seasons without skipping a game mirrors the effort I’ve invested in my prep as an athlete. Furthermore, it adds to my durability, especially playing as an inside mid, dealing with regular bumps and bruises each week.”
The 28-year-old star currently relishes her stint with an inexperienced Hawthorn midfield after seven seasons with the indomitable Brisbane side. Despite the recent disappointing loss to Richmond in Cairns on Friday, she emphasizes that the Hawks are focused on rapid improvement.
She adds, “We’re certainly not content with just two victories; we anticipate tackling the impending two rounds head-on.”
As they gear up for the next game, Hawthorn will be up against fellow second-year expansion team Port Adelaide at Frankston’s Kinetic Stadium on Sunday.