AFL Injury Scare Sparks Ruck Rule Debate After Neale's Knee Clash
Shannon Neale's alarming knee injury scare during a pre-season match could lead some AFL clubs to reconsider which big men they deploy in centre ball-ups, amid ongoing concerns about new ruck rules. The incident occurred in Wednesday night's pre-season clash between Geelong and Carlton, when Neale collided knees with Carlton ruckman Marc Pittonet, causing significant pain and immediate fears of a serious posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury.
Neale, an athletic forward who kicked 44 goals last season, was seen clutching his right knee in agony, with many observers speculating about a PCL issue due to the direct knee-on-knee contact. However, Geelong later confirmed the injury was merely a shin knock, expressing confidence that Neale will be "fine" for next Friday's Opening Round match against Gold Coast.
Coaches Weigh In on Ruck Deployment Strategies
When questioned about whether the incident influenced decisions on player deployment in ruck contests, Geelong assistant coach James Kelly acknowledged the dilemma. "Yeah, probably. How you deploy your athletic guys is always a question across the AFL," Kelly stated. "I know that there are teams that don’t like to put key forwards in there. We’re generally not one of those. The flexibility within our team is something we value."
Kelly emphasized that Geelong values flexibility and prefers players who can jump and run effectively in ruck situations, but he anticipates other clubs may reassess their approaches. This discussion comes just days after Melbourne captain Max Gawn voiced concerns that new ruck rules, designed to encourage jumping over wrestling, could inadvertently increase the risk of PCL injuries.
New Ruck Rules Under Scrutiny
Under the revised AFL regulations, rucks are prohibited from crossing the centre line before engaging with opponents, and umpires now throw the ball up instead of bouncing it. Carlton backline coach Ash Hansen commented on the potential safety implications, noting, "Hopefully if they’re up vertical and not in, that could maybe prevent the PCL — because that’s the one we’re probably worried about." However, he added that more evidence is needed to assess the long-term impact of these changes.
In a separate incident during the same match, confusion arose when Geelong ruck Sam De Koning overshot the ball, yet Pittonet was penalized for stepping over the line. Former Adelaide and Geelong forward Josh Jenkins criticized the decision as "comical" and predicted further issues as the season progresses. Hansen acknowledged the need for clarity, stating, "We’ll seek clarity on what that looks like. I guess we’re still adjusting to that."
Geelong's Injury Updates and Team Outlook
Beyond Neale's scare, Geelong provided updates on other key players. The club expects Jeremy Cameron, who is dealing with a quad injury, to be "fine" for the upcoming match. Additionally, they are "pretty confident" that Bailey Smith will play despite a calf issue, though Gryan Miers' availability is less certain due to a thumb injury.
As the AFL season approaches, this incident highlights the ongoing adjustments teams must make to new rules, balancing competitive strategy with player safety. Coaches and players alike will continue to monitor how these regulations evolve, particularly in light of injury risks associated with ruck contests.
