Tom Browne Explains Why Sam Draper Didn’t Get Suspended For His Gut Punch On Esava Ratugolea

Tom Browne has explained why Essendon ruckman didn’t get suspended for his gut punch on Geelong’s Esava Ratugolea on Saturday. 

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"The critical issue here is that the MRO, Michael Christian, described that as careless rather than intentional," Browne said on the Tom Browne’s News podcast.

"The critical issue according to the MRO here is that he was entitled to apply some pressure, it wasn’t a marking contest.

"It wasn’t one of those traditional ones where you see a round arm in a marking contest into the guys.

"It was a bit different in that Draper was allowed to apply pressure.

"So going forward that, I guess, is the precedent for the season.

"There’ll be some criticism on that given the AFL said they’d crack down on gut punches… as long they’re consistent, it’s ok."

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