West Coast Eagles Coach Andrew McQualter 'Surprised' by Match Review Decision on Charlie Comben's Hit
West Coast Eagles coach Andrew McQualter has openly admitted his surprise after the AFL's Match Review Officer opted not to sanction North Melbourne defender Charlie Comben for a high hit on star midfielder Harley Reid during Sunday's match at Optus Stadium. McQualter emphasized the need for consistency in such rulings, hoping his players receive similar treatment in future incidents.
Incident Details and Match Review Outcome
The controversial moment occurred as Reid moved to celebrate a goal by Elliot Yeo after the three-quarter-time siren in the Eagles' drought-breaking victory over the Kangaroos. Reid attempted to bump into Comben, who had already conceded a high-contact free kick, but the defender preemptively struck, placing both hands into Reid's throat and chin. Reid fell to the ground, prompting teammates to intervene, but the Match Review Officer dismissed the match-day report on Monday, stating Comben's actions did not constitute a strike as he was protecting himself from Reid.
McQualter expressed his reaction to 7NEWS, saying, "I was surprised with the outcome. We're just looking for consistency now in case that happens in the future. The MRO has a job to do, but all you're looking for in these things is consistency, and I'm a little bit surprised with the outcome from the weekend. But as long as our guys get the same treatment, it'll be OK."
Impact on Players and Team Performance
Despite the hit, Reid showed no ill effects, delivering a standout performance with his first career 30-disposal game, earning full coaches' votes. The Eagles' victory, their first in 308 days, was also bolstered by the return of co-captain Liam Baker, though he gave fans a scare late in the game when a North Melbourne player fell across his ankle during a smother attempt. McQualter provided an update, indicating Baker is likely available for the upcoming match against Port Adelaide.
However, the news was less positive for key defender Harry Edwards, who sustained his second concussion in as many outings. McQualter noted, "We expect Harry's going to miss a little bit of football now. We don't have an update at this stage, but we'll work through the protocols with our medical team."
Team Resilience and Quarter-Time Turnaround
The Eagles demonstrated growing maturity in the face of adversity, losing Edwards early in the game and trailing by five goals at the first break. McQualter revealed that a simple message at quarter-time helped turn the tide. He explained, "After quarter-time I was really pleased with the way the guys played and to get the result on the scoreboard just fuels a bit of belief for us. We just spoke about being a little bit calmer with the ball. I think we had five really unforced errors on turnover, which handed North Melbourne goals. But apart from that, the game wasn't looking too bad. After that, we tidied up and got the game on our terms."
This incident highlights ongoing discussions around player safety and consistency in AFL disciplinary actions, with McQualter's comments underscoring the importance of fair and uniform treatment across all teams.
