Curnow’s return questioned; AFL says Hawks should have got more than a warning for 19-man breach; Rooke case stalls

“What that does to everyone else is detrimental to the prospect that he’s going to be out there. He just wasn’t ready to go.” Curnow looked significantly underdone and was completely outplayed by his direct opponent, Josh Battle. Josh Battle in action against the Blues. Credit: AFL Photos According to two sources close to Curnow, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the confidential nature of injuries, the player, himself, believed early in the week that he wouldn’t play against Hawthorn and instead would make his return in the round three clash against the Western Bulldogs. Once he was, however, medically cleared to play, Curnow was fully aware of his responsibility to play and had no grievances towards the club after the fact.

Voss bristled on Thursday night after the game when asked to explain the decision to play Curnow. “Our commentary is always around Charlie being able to compete forward of the ball. I think it’s up to you decide what you want to value in Charlie,” Voss said. Michael Voss defended his decision to select Curnow for the Hawthorn clash. Credit: Getty Images “If he kicks goals, we’ve only got one focal point. If he doesn’t kick goals, then how come he couldn’t have an influence on the game, yet he brought the ball to ground? “I’ll let you guys [the media] decide which way you want to go with that. But, for us, he’s a valuable teammate, we love having him in our team. He gave us a focal point where he needed to, and he competed hard and that’s all I’m asking for as a coach.

“He’ll get his rewards within our system, and we’ll get to have him in it over the course of the next few weeks to be able to build his game. “But I’ll let you decide which one you want to value. Obviously, we’d love to have both, but he came in and did his job and what he needed to do today for us.” Curnow’s injury history is one of the most talked-about in the competition. After a harrowing run, Curnow played in 69 games between the start of 2022 and the end of 2024, barely missing a game during that period. But the latest off-season was nothing short of a disaster for the two-time Coleman medallist, who went under the knife on three separate occasions; once for an ankle reconstruction, and twice on his troublesome knee.

Sources close to Curnow said he would be better for the run, despite Thursday’s poor output, and laughed at suggestions that he could have instead spent time in the VFL. Hawthorn should have received more than a warning, AFL admits Scott Spits The AFL has conceded Hawthorn should have got more than a warning for the “major breach” of fielding 19 players on the ground during Thursday night’s 20-point win over Carlton at the MCG. Blues midfielder Adam Cerra booted a goal just before half-time at the MCG – Carlton’s fourth in a row – as they rode a wave of momentum and had the lead at the main break.

Hawthorn were all smiles after taking the points against Carlton. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images The Blues didn’t get a free kick, nor a 50-metre penalty, after Hawthorn were given a warning for not setting up with a 6-6-6 formation after the breach. But the AFL on Friday said the league’s interchange official should have considered the Hawthorn error as a “major breach” and the Blues should have been given both a free kick and 50-metre penalty. “Hawthorn had 19 players on the field as the teams were resetting for the bounce,” an AFL spokesperson said on Friday. “Upon realising this, the AFL interchange official notified Hawthorn who took steps to rectify the error before play resumed.” Adam Cerra is tackled by Jai Newcombe. Credit: AFL Photos

Carlton also kicked the next goal through Jack Silvagni before Hawthorn broke their run with a major to Blake Hardwick just before the half-time siren. The AFL confirmed it warned Hawthorn about managing their player rotations. “Upon review of the situation post-match, it is the view of the AFL that the AFL interchange official should have considered it a major breach, alerted the umpires and Carlton should have been awarded a free kick and 50m penalty from the centre.” Post-match, Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell described the situation as a “miscommunication”.

“I just heard about it before I came in here [for the press conference], and the bench guys just said someone came off and then didn’t realise someone had come on, and then no one came on so he ran back on,” Mitchell said. Loading “It was just a miscommunication, and it obviously cost us a 6-6-6 warning … we then got another one, so it was a free kick. “So, we need to be better than that – we need to be more organised – and the ripple effect of things like second rucks … those things caused us a bit of trouble. We need to get better in that area, and we would hope that wouldn’t happen again.” The AFL rules suggest Hawthorn’s indiscretion could have potentially attracted an even harsher penalty.

Under section 5.5 (counting of players), sections (c) and (d) of 5.5.3 (players exceeding permitted number) state:

(c) the team shall lose all points which it has scored in that quarter up to the time of the count; and

(d) the field umpire shall report the circumstances to the controlling body, including the scores at the time. The controlling body may further determine the matter by way of a fine, reversal of match result or other sanction as it deems appropriate, including overturning the loss of points. But the AFL is also bound by regulations that govern every aspect of the game, from what footballs are approved for use, sponsors’ logos on player uniforms, the obligations of cheer squads, reportable offences, and even the pre-match toss of the coin. The regulations state: “A club shall ensure that the number of players on the playing surface during the progress of a match shall not exceed the number permitted by the AFL. “In addition to any action taken by the umpire during the progress of the match or sanction applicable under the Laws of Australian Football, the following sanction shall apply: Up to 25 units for first offence; up to 50 units for second offence.” AFL RULES: 5.5.3 - players exceeding permitted number Where a team has more than the permitted number of players on the playing surface, the following rules shall apply: (a) a field umpire shall award a free kick to the captain or acting captain of the opposing team, which shall be taken at the centre circle or where play wa stopped, which ever is the greater penalty against the offending team; (b) a fifty metre penalty shall then be imposed from the position where the free kick was awarded; (c) the team shall lose all points which it has scored in that quarter up to the time of the count; and (d) the field umpire shall report the circumstances to the controlling body, including the scores at the time. The controlling body may further determine the matter by way of a fine, reversal of match result or other sanction as it deems appropriate, including overturning the loss of points

Rooke’s concussion case stalls Jon Pierik Max Rooke’s landmark concussion class action against the AFL appears to have stalled after the judge hearing the case called for mediation between the parties. Geelong premiership player Max Rooke. Credit: Paul Rovere In a Supreme Court directions hearing on Friday, Justice Andrew Keogh told lawyers representing Rooke, the former Geelong premiership star, the AFL and the Cats that the case had made “very little progress” in almost two years, and a pivot towards an informal “case management conference” outside of the courts should be considered.

“There is real uncertainty as to the form the proceedings should take as it goes forward. This must be costing everybody a fair bit of money,” Keogh said. Loading Keogh said a case management conference would allow “people to sit around the table and discuss relevant issues in the proceedings” rather than “get bogged down in these expensive and time-consuming disputes”. Ben Ihle, KC, representing the AFL, Michael Rush, KC, representing the Cats, and Rooke’s lawyer, Peter Hamilton, said they were open to the move. “I have instructions to consent to that,” Hamilton said.

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