Roos upset with AFL match review rulings

North Melbourne are bemused over what they see is an inconsistency in how the AFL match review panel (MRP) operates.

A week after coach Brad Scott had blasted the MRP over Jarrad Waite’s suspension, they are privately upset no action had been taken over an incident that had left Trent Dumont with concussion.

Dumont was a forced omission from Sunday’s team to play Melbourne, one of four changes to the Kangaroos’ team.

North said Dumont suffered delayed concussion after a tackle last Sunday by Sydney’s Isaac Heeney.

The Kangaroos’ issue is there is no official indication that the MRP had even looked at the Dumont incident.

Waite is back from a one-week suspension for rough conduct, after his tackle on Adelaide’s Tom Lynch – a verdict that Scott had blasted.

Privately, as Scott had said publicly last week, North again contend the MRP is too outcome-based.

While it was clear Lynch was concussed in his incident, Dumont’s concussion was delayed.

Meanwhile, ahead of Sunday’s match against Melbourne, Scott said maximising Todd Goldstein’s ruck dominance will be a challenge.

While Goldstein is an obvious advantage for North, especially given Max Gawn’s ongoing absence, Scott is concerned the rules are increasingly skewed against genuine ruckmen.

“The ruck dominance against Melbourne in the last three weeks hasn’t translated to clearance dominance,” Scott noted.

“It’s a bit of a concern for the game, full-stop.

“I’m sure Melbourne would love to have Max Gawn … but clearly, in the clearance area, it hasn’t hurt them.

“We have to be really careful in the game, that we don’t breed out really high-quality, potentially a-little-bit immobile ruckmen who can get their hand to (the ball) at the contest.”

Scott says he understands the AFL is keen to reduce stoppages, but the Kangaroos must capitalise on an obvious advantage.

“Hopefully, our inside midfielders can finish off Goldy’s work,” he said.

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