Handful of games if he punched a player, sure. But he didn't.
You may be right but as a player if that is the punishment handed down it says runners aren't untouchable.
If you're willing to sit out a month you can give em one when they're mouthing off.
Which most runners do. Can't hear but my guess thats exactly what happened here.
A month? Well you'd think he would be looking at 6-8 at a minimum - it's deliberate high contact, impact to be decided.. more than a month.
Not that I want to sound like i'm defending Kershaw either coz he's always been a grub , but what did the runner think was gonna happen running up getting in his face? Nothing good can come from it.
^^^^^^ This...…………….same on a cricket field.
To be honest though I wouldn't be fussed if a rule existed that if an umpires hears a runner direct any words at an opposition player they are automatically sent off and the team has to play without a runner.
I don't buy into the its all part of the game. You are a runner, your job is to run a message to your team and then get the **** of the oval. Aussie rules being one of only few sports where this even exists.
If they want the privilege of being out there send your message and don't say a single word to the opposition, be a player if you want to yap off. One of my biggest pet hates in aussie rules.
I loved some verbal by-play with opposition runners. And I didn't manage to ever strike any of them in the head. No harm done. Not the runner's fault old mate couldn't control his emotions.
Would he have done the same if it was a spectator giving him some verbal?