Harry Cleared

Collingwood News

Harry O'Brien has been cleared of a forceful front on contact charge that was laid after he clashed with Luke Hodge in Sunday's loss to Hawthorn.
The AFL deemed that Hodge elected to dive at the ball and O'Brien should have received a free kick.
Instead, O'Brien was penalised for high contact and was put on report.
The AFL has released the following statement in relation to O'Brien's charge: 
The AFL Umpiring Department today conducted its weekly review of all matches from Round Three, and wishes to provide the following statement around the match-day report of Collingwood's Harry O'Brien for making forceful contact from front-on against Hawthorn’s Luke Hodge.
Umpires are instructed to lay reports on match day, where they deem it appropriate, so that players are aware the rules around player safety will be enforced, and to ensure that on-field discipline is maintained for both teams. Upon review, it has been determined the decision to report Harry O’Brien for rough conduct on Luke Hodge was incorrect.
Umpire Ryan reported O'Brien based on him believing that O'Brien had initiated contact on Hodge by moving towards his opponent and bumping him high from front on.
On reviewing the incident, it is apparent that Hodge elected to go to ground to contest the ball, and his momentum caused him to make contact with O'Brien below his knees.
Under the newly-introduced interpretation in 2013 of "Forceful contact below the knees", O'Brien should have received a free kick as Hodge made contact with the Collingwood player below his knees.
Players are encouraged to stay on their feet where ever possible. If they do elect to go to ground, they should try to avoid contact to their opponents below the knees.