Walyalup (Fremantle) coach Justin Longmuir has launched a stern defence of captain Alex Pearce following his collision with Darcy Byrne-Jones saying the star defender will have no case to answer when the incident is assessed by the AFL.
The Dockers beat Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide) 15.10 (100) to 7.9 (51) and dominated the second half, but all eyes will be on the Pearce contest to see if he is free to play against Gold Coast next week.
Byrne-Jones was concussed during the collision in the second quarter which occurred in a marking contest. The Match Review Officer will closely analyse the incident before making a call on Sunday but Longmuir is adamant Pearce should be available to face the Suns.
“I’m not concerned at all,’ Longmuir declared.
“I loved the courage of Byrne-Jones. You never like to see anyone get injured, but from what I saw, Alex was making a play on the ball. It was extreme courage to go back with the flight like that and touch the ball before Alex gets there but from what I see, Alex is making a play on the ball.
“I don’t think he makes contact with the head. What’s Alex supposed to do in that situation? Pull out of that contest and let him mark it going back with the flight? He’d get crucified if Alex pulled out of that contest. That’s what would happen.
“I don’t have any issues with it. There’s things that happen in our game and there’s unfortunate contact that happens in our game. It happens in marking contests a lot. I see it as one of those situations.
“I didn’t think it was a free kick. I’ve got no issues with it being paid as a free kick. But I didn’t think really think it was a free kick. I thought it was two guys contesting the ball. I didn’t see any head high contact.”
The win lifted the Dockers to 6-5 and Luke Jackson was again brilliant while leading the ruck in Sean Darcy’s absence. Jackson had 21 disposals, eight clearances, 38 hit outs and kicked one goal and debate will now rage as to what Longmuir should do if Darcy is available for selection against Gold Coast.
Longmuir said he’s viewing the situation vastly differently to everyone else.
“I see it as a great problem to have,” he said.
“To have two players who are really good at their position. Everyone else is seeing it as a bad problem. I see it as a good problem. Jacko has got flexibility to play other positions and there’s other ways we can get him around the footy.
“Sean has proven over the course of a long time that he’s one of the best rucks in the comp against some of the bigger bodies, especially the big bodied ruckmen. It’s a good problem to have.”
