Dermott Brereton slams Callum Mills for breaking AFL’s ‘unwritten code’

Former AFL star Dermott Brereton has slammed Sydney Swans star Callum Mills for a moment that he claims broke an “unwritten rule in football”.

It came in the first quarter of the Swans’ 22-point win on Sunday as the were bouncing back from a slow start.

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Both teams were locked on 4.3 (27) apiece just before the end of the first quarter when the Swans were kicking out of their own defensive end with Mills going for a contested mark with Liam Stocker behind him.

When Mills didn’t take it cleanly, he was given a free kick by the umpire.

But as Stocker got to his feet, Mills showed his displeasure while still on the ground, striking out at the Carlton player, and seemingly hitting him below the belt.

In commentary, James Brayshaw said “He gave Stocker a little one, let him know about it”.

From the next two play, Isaac Heeney took a mark before Buddy Franklin grabbed one inside the 50 to boot the Swans’ fourth straight to take the lead at the quarter time break.

The Swans went on to claim the result with a 15.10 (100) to 11.12 (78) win at the SCG.

Liam Stocker reacted to the hit.Source:FOX SPORTS

But after the game, five-time premiership winner Brereton still had the incident stuck in his craw.

“There is an unwritten rule in football — you get punched in the head, you get elbowed, all these things that are reportable,” he said to Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph on Fox Footy. “You take it and you move on and say ‘I hated that but we’re all playing a man’s game’.

“There are three things you don’t do in AFL football, it’s the unwritten code — you don’t spit on your opposition, you don’t kick your opposition, and don’t whack him in the nurries. You just don’t do it.”

Mills wasn’t the only one believed to have been under the MRO microscope with Buddy Franklin’s bump on Nic Newman as the pair jostled for a ball in the second quarter of the match also called to the MRO’s attention.

Franklin’s shoulder contacted Newman in the face but the Carlton star was able to continue.

Buddy Franklin could be in trouble for this hit.Source:Getty Images

Speaking on Fox Footy’s First Crack, David King said he believed Franklin was “in trouble” and may face a suspension for the incident.

But co-host Leigh Montagna said he believed it would just be a fine as Newman “got straight up and took his kick”.

Ralph took to social media on Monday to highlight both incidents, believing both would attract little more than a fine.

“I think it’s more likely a fine rather than a suspension. Buddy will be fine despite clattering into Newman, who bounced straight back up,” he tweeted.

Derm wasn’t thrilled with Mills whacking Stocker with a low blow yesterday. I think it’s more likely a fine rather than a suspension. Buddy will be fine despite clattering into Newman, who bounced straight back up @FOXFOOTYpic.twitter.com/d571itfZKy

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