The AFL was forced to apologize to Lance Franklin after a furious reaction to comments suggesting he had committed a “cowardly” act.
The AFL issued an unprecedented apology to Lance Franklin for the language used during his hearing in court this week, as the Swans tried to overturn a ban on a match from their star striker to strike.
Sydney challenged Franklin’s accumulated suspension for an incident involving Trent Cotchin during his team’s thrilling victory over Richmond last Friday, but was unable to reverse the original decision.
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Duncan Miller, who represented Franklin, said Cotchin’s reaction to being beaten was “a bit exaggerated” and added: “I’m tempted to say that this year I could be invited to the Lodges and not the Brownlow.
“The exaggerated backward movement and the rest of the images show exactly what it was: there’s an ironic smile on Mr. Cotchin’s face.”
AFL attorney Andrew Woods said Franklin’s act was “cheeky” and “cowardly” and “the opposing player doesn’t expect this to happen to him.”
“It’s AFL, not a wrestling club or a combat sport,” Woods added.
Eddie McGuire criticized the language used by the two legal advisers and on Thursday the AFL issued an official apology to Franklin and the Swans.
“There are no cowardly players in the AFL, let alone Lance Franklin,” the league said in a statement.
“In filing allegations, the court attorney used his own words to describe the circumstances of the Trent Cotchin strike, meaning that Mr. Cotchin did not reasonably expect Mr. Franklin ran over him.
“Trent Cotchin is a top captain and one of the most respected leaders in the competition.
“It is the AFL’s view that the rhetorical flourishes of nature used by the two lawyers last night should not be part of the AFL court process and do not reflect the AFL’s views.”
The apology came after McGuire attacked the rhetoric.
“I can tell AFL lawyer Andrew Woods, fellow, pull up, that’s safe. Scoring a cowardly player and a cowardly act is almost defamatory,” he said. Footy Classified Wednesday.
“They (Cotchin and Franklin) are two of the best people in football in terms of their reputation.
“One QC report of a cowardly act and another (by staging) … please. QCs, enough.”
Swans president Andrew Pridham also launched a furious attack on the AFL and its lawyer before the league heard it.
“They knew it all went beyond the mark and I think they did the right thing,” Pridham told News Corp.
“It was a very unfortunate choice of words and I don’t think it’s a reflection of Lance, not even fair. I think it was very unfair to him and it’s important that when that happens, we call him.”