WHEN Gold Coast midfielder Michael Rischitelli won a centre clearance in the second quarter last weekend against the Western Bulldogs, took a few quick steps and booted the ball the wrong way to hand the Bulldogs an easy goal, Channel 10 commentator Michael Christian described it as a "shocking mistake".

However, let's just take a deep breath.

Rischitelli wasn't the first and - we can safely assume - he won't be the last player to kick the ball the wrong way. In fact, there has been a number of notable on-field brain fades to match Rischitelli's effort on Saturday.

At the opening bounce in Richmond's round one clash with Carlton in 2007, Tigers' captain Kane Johnson took control of the ball and kicked it deep into his defensive 50.

It came only moments after he tossed of the coin with opposing captain Lance Whitnall to decide which end each team would be kicking.

In 2008, Port Adelaide speedster David Rodan spun out of trouble in his defensive back pocket and snapped what would have been a brilliant goal - he even celebrated - before realising he had kicked the wrong way.

And, in 2009, Josh Gibson, then playing for North Melbourne, moved out of the backline and into the midfield. At a centre bounce, Gibson grabbed the ball and immediately booted it the wrong way, putting his Kangaroos defenders under pressure.

"I don't know what I was doing," Gibson said with a laugh after the game.

We'll give Rischitelli the same benefit of the doubt.