THE AFL will consider 'clarifying' the laws surrounding the bump as a result of the different interpretations its tribunal and appeals board came to over the Nick Maxwell case.
Collingwood skipper Maxwell was originally given a four-match ban by the AFL Tribunal for his bump on West Coast's Patrick McGinnity in their NAB Cup clash on February 7, which left the young Eagle with a broken jaw.
The Magpies appealed, a decision vindicated by the AFL Appeals Board on Friday morning, which decided Maxwell had no case to answer.
AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said in a statement on Friday afternoon that the League will have to analyse why the two bodies had contrasting views.
The statement said, given that the Tribunal and Appeals Board have viewed this specific incident in different ways, Anderson and the AFL will examine the full reasons for the decision.
When they are received, the League will determine if any clarification to the rules was required.
He also reminded players that the decision in no way altered the AFL's policy to reduce the incidence of severe head and neck injuries at all levels of the game.
"The rough conduct rules remain in force and any player that elects to bump unreasonably instead of tackling or contesting the ball can expect to be charged if forceful head high contact is made," the statement said.
"As stated in the Tribunal guidelines; 'the onus is placed on a player who elects to bump to do so legitimately. He has a duty to avoid significant contact to an opponent’s head or neck where reasonably possible'."
It was the first time in 11 occasions the AFL Appeals Board has overturned the Tribunal's decision since the current judicial system came into place in 2005, but Anderson said the League had no problems accepting the verdict.
“Today’s decision highlights the independence of the match review, tribunal and appeals system and we accept the decision of the AFL Appeals Board," he said.
"We have a system in place where each case is considered on its merits, independently of the AFL.
"The Match Review Panel considers every incident and, if a charge is laid, the club then has the right to take it to the AFL Tribunal for the matter to be heard.
"If a club does not agree with a penalty or verdict, it also has the right to go to the Appeals Board, which Collingwood has done in this case.
"The Appeals Board has upheld the appeal by the club in this particular case. The Appeals Board found that the contact made by Maxwell was reasonable and that the contact to the head was accidental."
