DARREN MONCRIEFF
Monday 18 June 2012
LINDSAY THOMAS should continue the way he attacks the football; in fact it should be encouraged.
The North Melbourne forward played his 100th AFL match on the weekend in the Kangaroos' narrow seven-point win over the Gold Coast on Saturday. He kicked two goals and had a hand in several others coming on the back of a six-goal haul in the VFL in the previous week.
However, Thomas (pictured) could come under some scrutiny arising from an incident in the second half of the match; nothing that should be reportable, mind, but with the lottery that's the match review panel, one wouldn't be so sure.
Thomas, who forced his way back in to the North side after time in the VFL, looks to have unintentionally ended another opponent's season with what looks to be a serious leg injury.
It came after his desperate lunge for the ball at ground level but which has resulted in the Suns' Seb Tape fearing the worst.
Tape's leg was caught under Thomas's body when Thomas slid front-end in to retrieve a loose ball.
Tape had to be assisted from the ground late in the third quarter of the match.
Earlier this season, Thomas was in a similar incident with a Sydney Swans player.
The Swans' Gary Rohan received a broken leg when Thomas slid in, eyes for the ball, to take possession. Thomas was reported for this but was later found not guilty by the AFL Tribunal.
That incident sparked debate within the AFL about umpires awarding free kicks against players sliding in at ground level and causing injury but there was no subsequent directive from the AFL rules committee toward the umpires to rule on such actions.
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 18/06/2012 09:23