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"Touch footy": North trio mock AFL Tribunal
SEN • April 30th, 2025 6:25 pm
North Melbourne’s Luke Parker and Paul Curtis have taken to social media to mock the AFL Tribunal after the latter was handed a three-match ban for a dangerous tackle.
At the Tribunal on Tuesday night, Curtis had his rough conduct charge upheld after he left Port Adelaide's Josh Sinn concussed at the weekend.
The Tribunal ruled that Curtis had been unreasonably dangerous.
"Curtis did not need to propel Sinn forward with such force," Jeff Gleeson, who sits on the Tribunal panel, said.
"Curtis could have, but did not, make a significant attempt to roll to the side.
"Prudent players are today well aware that tackling a player from behind when both the tackler and the ball carrier have some momentum carries a risk of causing a concussion if care is not taken to avoid or minimise that risk.
"Curtis did not do nearly enough to address that risk."
Ridiculing the decision, Parker took to his Instagram to share a post from North’s account with the caption: “Please attend our touch football game this Thursday night vs Essendon #nomoretackling.”
Curtis meanwhile changed his Instagram profile picture to the ATFL logo.
Joining his teammate in criticising the decision, North captain Jy Simpkin wrote: “Arch and now PC … smh” in reference to Jackson Archer's ban earlier this season.
Curtis will now miss his side’s clashes against Essendon, Brisbane and Richmond.
North teammate Harry Sheezel told SEN's Dwaynes World he had been left confused by the decision which he felt was over the top.
“It’s a tough one, I think three is very harsh given Paul’s intention in th e tackles. Unfortunately, that’s the system at the moment.
“It will be tough without him.
“Personally I think he should have got off. It’s unfortunate Simm got concussed. It’s a combative game that requires physical contact and tacking from 360 degrees. That’s what we sign up for.
“I know we want to stamp out concussion but I think maybe we have gone too far with it.
“Going into last week’s game I had no idea I would get three weeks for a tackle like that. You’re chasing someone that’s trying to run away from you I don’t know what your options are.
“Hopefully we can still tackle and not get suspended.”
