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Comben learns suspension fate following Mihocek concussion
Sam Edmund • February 23rd, 2026 6:13 pm
Charlie Comben appears likely to avoid suspension after a twist in the incident involving a concussed Brody Mihocek.
The Comben tackle had loomed as something of an early test case given the MRO changes for this year now make it possible for players to be suspended for less than three weeks even when a player suffers concussion.
But it has since emerged that Mihocek was not concussed by the Comben tackle on Friday, but elsewhere in the same game at Casey Fields.
Despite there being some head contact with the ground, Micohek was also able to get his hand down to brace for impact – something the tribunal has looked favourably on when determining a player’s fate.
In what would be a welcome dose of good news for the Kangaroos, Comben now appears likely to avoid suspension and should be available for North’s Round 1 clash against Port Adelaide on March 15.
Coaches and players have long argued the MRO should be given greater flexibility in the matrix when it comes to suspending players whose rough conduct act results in concussion.
The “three weeks or nothing” was a debatable topic throughout 2025, with the likes of Paul Curtis and Justin McInerney considered harshly done by when served with three-week bans.
The “grading for impact” amendment reads: “Whilst an intentional or careless act causing a concussion will usually be graded as severe impact, when other factors relevant to impact, including the observable level of force, are more consistent with a lesser impact grading … a lesser impact grading may be imposed.”
But in approving the change, the AFL commission made it clear that should be a rarity and that a player serving anything less than a three-week ban when another player is concussed might only happen once or twice a season.
