Docker's Brownlow ineligibility doesn't bother the man who copped the bump
THE MAN on the receiving end of the head knock that cost Nathan Fyfe a two-week suspension earlier this season says he has not given a thought to the Fremantle star's Brownlow Medal plight.
Gold Coast vice-captain Michael Rischitelli came off worse for wear when Fyfe chose to bump, and caused a head clash as a result, in round two at Patersons Stadium.
Fyfe was suspended for two matches, making him ineligible to win the AFL's most prestigious individual award.
And now, at the back end of another stellar season for the Dockers, there is the increasing possibility Fyfe could join Corey McKernan (1996) and Chris Grant (1997) as ineligible winners of the Brownlow.
"I haven't really thought about it to be honest," Rischitelli told AFL.com.au.
The veteran midfielder did back the AFL's stance on protecting the head, though.
"That's the interpretation," he said.
"They're trying to look after players' welfare and the head, I can understand that.
"Was it right to get two weeks? I don't know. The first thing is to look after the players.
"I think they do a great job with trying to look after players, just sometimes it might look a bit hard on players that might get one or two weeks for something that's accidental, but that's footy at the moment.
"They're just looking after the welfare of players."
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