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‘Angered’ Lions bosses have spoken to the AFL about an on-field incident involving Marlion Pickett and Zac Bailey from Richmond’s come-from-behind seven-point win over Brisbane, according to veteran journalist Caroline Wilson.
Bailey spent Sunday night in hospital after getting subbed out of the game with a sternum issue following a collision with Pickett — an incident that received no sanction from the match review officer despite vision of the exchange showing the Tigers midfielder bump Bailey in the area off the ball.
Scans cleared the young Lions star of any serious injury as he was released from hospital on Monday to fly home to Brisbane, with the club still yet to rule him out of this week’s match against Carlton.
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However speaking on Channel 9’s Footy Classified on Monday night, Wilson reports Brisbane was “completely shattered” by the loss to the Tigers and “among their devastating was anger” due to Bailey’s clash with Pickett.
“Initial anger broke out after this incident early in the game involving Bailey and Pickett. There was a bump, there was a push, I know Brisbane bosses were talking to the AFL throughout the day,” she said.
“Bailey went to hospital, he was coughing up blood, he was very, very concerned, happily the news is a lot better today and he’s flown home.
“There’s been no citing from the match review officer, I think the incident was looked at and looked at and looked at again.”
“One quick one on Pickett, who has the ability to seriously hurt players because he’s a tough player — I think there will be words delivered to Richmond about his tactics.
“But there was a lot of anger, I think Brisbane has calmed down today.”
The MRO’s explanation of the incident read: “The incident involving Richmond’s Marlion Pickett and the Brisbane Lions’ Zac Bailey from the second quarter of Sunday’s match between Richmond and the Brisbane Lions was assessed. It was the view of the Match Review Officer that Pickett’s actions did not constitute a reportable offence. No further action was taken.”
Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes said he “didn’t see too much wrong” with the exchange and wasn’t sure what Brisbane was upset about.
Meanwhile speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360, Lions coach Chris Fagan confirmed the club hoped to have Bailey available for selection this week.
“He’s (Bailey) recovered well and is back in Brisbane. I think he’ll be fine this week, it was just he was coughing up a bit of blood and that’s not a good sign when that’s happening,” Fagan said.
“You have to be really careful when you see that. But as it turned out it wasn’t anything of huge significance, which more than anything is pleasing for Zac and his health.”
Wilson also reported Mitch Robinson and Brisbane have received a “please explain” from the AFL after the veteran gave his middle-finger to the Richmond cheer squad during the contest.
“I think he’s going to have to explain himself, but I don’t think there’ll be a fine,” she said.
Robinson, who missed a crucial potential go-ahead shot late in the game, took another cheeky swipe at Tigers fans on social media after the loss.
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