AFL star blasts ‘idiots’ after huge call

Richmond Tigers defender Nick Vlastuin has blasted “idiots” who questioned his knee injury during Thursday evening’s match against Carlton at the MCG.

On Wednesday, the AFL confirmed the controversial medical substitution rule would be introduced for the 2021 premiership.

The new rule allows clubs to bring on a “23rd man” if team doctors believe a player’s injury will keep them on the sidelines for at least 10 days.

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After suffering a corked knee in the third quarter against the Blues, Vlastuin was replaced by young gun Jack Ross.

The 20-year-old registered four tackles and eight disposals during his short stint in the contest, which Richmond won 15.15 (105) to 11.14 (80).

Earlier in the match, Carlton activated they medical substitution by bringing on Oscar McDonald for the injured Jack Silvagni, who is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.

Jack Ross has been activated as our medical sub, replacing Nick Vlastuin. #AFLTigersBlues#gotigespic.twitter.com/Gz3FhanXjw

Some footy pundits inevitably questioned the severity of Vlastuin’s injury, arguing Richmond exploited the new rule to bring on Ross with fresh legs.

Vlastuin went for scans on Friday, and offered a blunt response when asked his thoughts on those who speculated whether he was faking the injury’s seriousness.

“They’re idiots,” Vlastuin said.

“I seriously couldn’t walk up and down the stairs. I still can’t. I had to get my mate to put on my socks and shoes this morning.

“If they wanted me to play out the game, yeah, I don’t know. They’re stupid.

“If (Ross) wasn’t there, they probably would’ve jabbed it, strapped it up, done something that maybe put it more at risk. With the sub there, we were able to just make the call early and not risk it any further.”

Controversially, Vlastuin could be permitted to feature in Richmond’s round two match against Hawthorn next weekend if fit to play.

Nick Vlastuin of the Tigers.Source:Getty Images

Regardless, AFL football boss Steve Hocking ticked off both club’s use of the medical substitution during Thursday’s season opener.

“And I have only got complimentary remarks to make about how both clubs instituted it last night,” Hocking told SEN Radio.

“We have got trust in our doctors and we have got the right processes in place to address whatever might come out of the medical sub. I will come back to the fact I saw it in full operation last night and I will have another look tonight and we will continue to monitor it as we need to. I have got confidence in our doctors and the broader industry.”

Speaking on Fox Footy after the game, Brisbane Lions great Jonathan Brown said the circumstances surrounding the substitutions left the door open for fans to accuse the clubs of cooking up injuries that didn’t exist.

“As if the coaches weren’t going to exploit that rule,” Brown said.

“This is unbelievable. I feel for the doctors. I feel for both doctors already. Especially the Richmond doctor.

“If he (Vlastuin) plays next week, there is uproar.

“Straight away in Round 1 it’s been exploited that rule.”

Oscar Mac has brought his own footy. So has Jack Ross in the time he has been on. No one wants injuries but the impact of fresh subs is going to be immense this year.

Look, the old sub rule was dumb but at least we didn’t have to put up with endless speculation about whether the player was injured. Just bring the old tactical sub rule back. #AFL

Speaking on Channel 9’s Today, two-time All-Australian Nathan Brown argued the substitution rule should only be permitted for concussion.

“I think the AFL should have made a hard and fast rule, for so long we’ve been worried about concussion, players go off and the doctors being instructed not to let concussed players back on,” Brown said on Friday morning.

“We need to protect players, but then you’re a man down.

“The rule should have only been only for concussion, if you get concussion, you’re out of the game, then you can bring a sub on.”

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said there was “no doubt” both substitutes made a significant difference to the contest, but the rule also served its purpose.

“From our point of view it was fine,” Hardwick said.

“You look at the game, 75 rotations, it was tough – the players were going down like ninepins, I think Shai (Bolton) had a full body cramp halfway through that last quarter.

“I know people will jump up and down about it but I always think the more players that play the game, it’s a positive from my point of view. You’ve got limited rotations so one more player on the ground is not going to make a big difference.

“I’m all for the growth of the game. If it’s going to make it better, let’s do it. I can’t see the down side to it.

“The health and safety of players is paramount and if you’ve got fresh players there, you shouldn’t lose a game with an injured player.”

Richmond will next face the Hawthorn Hawks at the MCG on Sunday, March 28th.

— with Tyson Otto and NCA NewsWire

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