THE traditional hip and shoulder isn't in danger of becoming extinct, according to AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou.
Just two weeks after Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams called for an enquiry into the tribunal's handling of head high bumps after the decision to suspend star Port midfielder Shaun Burgoyne for his bump on Hawks' skipper Sam Mitchell, three more players have been cited head high bumps.
Adelaide's Brett Burton, classy Western Bulldogs forward Robert Murphy and West Coast defender Beau Waters all face suspensions after being cited by the match review panel on Monday for making head high contact to opponents.
Following the three-match ban handed down to Burgoyne, Williams said the current rules did not make allowances for accidental bumps to the head - a view shared by Essendon skipper Matthew Lloyd.
Lloyd said on Channel Nine's Sunday Footy Show if players were continually cited for head high bumps they would soon be wary of delivering the traditional hip and shoulder bump for fear of being reported if it went wrong.
"I reckon if Robert Murphy gets done for that (his bump on Hawthorn's Xavier Ellis), all players will question whether you bother hip and shouldering because a guy might get lower or you might be hip and shouldering Brent Harvey (the league's smallest player) and he's, you know, so much smaller than you are," Lloyd said.
"Now you just can't hit anybody in the head so it has changed player's thinking - 'Is there any point going for the hip and shoulder'?"
Demetriou hinted on Monday that the Bombers' captain would be fined for his comments.
"It was inappropriate for Matthew Lloyd to make those comments and I'm sure that (football operations manager) Adrian Anderson will be looking at it," he said.
"This matter (Murphy's bump on Ellis) may appear before the tribunal and everyone knows we should wait for that process to take its course and the rules are pretty clear on that."
Demetriou denied that the bump was under threat and said the AFL's position on what constitues a legitmate hip and shoulder was clear.
"I don't think they (bumps) are under scrutiny," he said.
"Everyone knows our position on head high bumps - the head is sacrosanct."
"If you watch our game I think you can see the bump is alive and well but what is important is the head is sacrosanct."
ESSENDON forward Scott Lucas is a chance to play against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium next Friday night, according to coach Matthew Knights.
Speaking after his side's 38-point loss to Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night, Knights said Lucas had been working hard and was eager to return from a knee injury sustained in the round one win against the Kangaroos.
"Scott wants to play this Friday against Adelaide," Knights said.
"He wants to play. He joined in [his] first main session late this week, so he's done one training session, but he's done an enormous amount of work and I'm very proud of Scott – he's got his skin-folds down to around about 44 after being out for 12 weeks.
"He's right on edge and he's walking around with that look in his eye, so he's keen to play and he wants to play this week. I've just got to work out whether two or three sessions will be enough or do we go with him the following week [against] Hawthorn."
Brisbane Lions forward Jonathan Brown has booted six goals to inspire the Lions to a 33-point victory over Carlton at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.
Brown, who so far this year has played second fiddle up forward to Daniel Bradshaw, conitinued his impressive record against the Blues as the Lions cruised to an 18.17 (125) to 12.20 (92) win.
The Lions skipper came into the match having earned three Brownlow votes in each of his past three encounters with Carlton.
Classy midfielder Simon Black was at his damaging best in the middle with 28 disposals, including 12 in the opening stanza, while Jamie Charman dominated in the ruck with 25 hit-outs.
Travis Johnstone was also outstanding for the Lions with 31 possessions and three goals.
For Carlton, Marc Murphy racked up 32 possessions and booted two goals while Heath Scotland worked hard all night, collecting a game-high 39 disposals.
The Lions dominated the clearances in the opening term and were able to enter inside their forward 50 21 times to Carlton's 10. Their midfield dominance was reflected on the scoreboard as they booted eight goals to two to take a commanding 37-point lead into quarter-time.
The Blues came out harder at the ball in the second term but failed to make the most of their opportunities in front of goal with Brendon Fevola the chief offender.
The 150-gamer booted just one goal from five first half scoring shots as the Lions took a 42-point advantage into the main break.
Fevola battled hard for four-straight after half-time however, but the damage had already been done in the opening term.
Brisbane can now consolidate their place in the top eight and push for a top-four berth with three straight games at the GABBA against St Kilda, North Melbourne and Fremantle.
CARLTON: 2.2, 4.8, 9.14, 12.20 (92)
BRISBANE LIONS: 8.3, 11.8, 16.13, 18.17 (125)
GOALS: Carlton: Fevola 5, Wiggins 2, Murphy 2, Betts, Russell, Judd
Brisbane Lions: Brown 6, Johnstone 3, Hooper 2, Black 2, Adcock, Rischitelli, Corrie, Drummond, Bradshaw
BEST: Carlton: Murphy, Fevola, Simpson Judd, Scotland, Gibbs
Brisbane Lions: Brown, Black, Johnstone, Power, Brennan
INJURIES: Carlton: Jamison (shoulder)
Brisbane Lions: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Farmer, Chamberlain, S.Ryan
CROWD: 38,675 at Telstra Dome
TonyK
Cibbuano
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