AFL umpire Troy Pannell was booed when he hit the ground concussed during Friday night’s clash between Sydney and Essendon.
Pannell came off worse for wear when he collided with Swan Nick Malceski. Unable to get himself off the ground, he had to be stretchered off by medical staff and was booed by a section of the Etihad Stadium crowd during Sydney’s big win. The actions of the crowd caused sizeable backlash on social media.
“He’s pretty alert now, his maths is brilliant…. He’s fine,” Dr Bruce Reid told 3AW after the match.
The officiating in season 2014 has copped significant flack, turning away fans at every issue from centre bounces to bumps, however Malceski doesn’t have to fear a suspension according to Gary Lyon.
“He has nothing to worry about at all. If he is cited there’s going to be one enormous stink,” Lyon said calling the game for Triple M radio.
The Swans continued their roll up the AFL ladder with a convincing 18.6 (114) to 9.10 (64) victory over the reeling Bombers.
Lance Franklin had a quick return to form with five goals and finishing one short of the coveted 600 mark, a far cry from last weekend’s wayward finishing in front of the big sticks.
The bump is likely to feature in headlines again early next week courtesy of a Dan Hannebery hit on Michael Hurley.
Although there was nothing malicious about the midfielder’s attempt on the ball, the high hit against Hurley, head over ball, could still land him in strife.
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