Wingard backs AFL’s tough stance on bump

Melbourne's Jack Viney has been handed a two-match ban by the tribunal after being found guilty of a bump on Tom Lynch, while Richmond's Brett Deledio walked away from a striking charge with just a reprimand.

AFL players have reacted with outrage to the two-match ban handed to Melbourne midfielder Jack Viney.

Herald Sun reporter Jon Anderson talks to Fox Sports about the suspension of Melbourne Demons' Jack Viney, which he views as a landmark decision.

Chad Wingard supports the AFL's decision to suspend Jack Viney for his bump on Tom Lynch. Source: Getty Images

PORT Adelaide best and fairest Chad Wingard has backed the AFL in its firm stance on the bump as widespread debate rages over the suspension of Melbourne's Jack Viney for his bump on Adelaide's Tom Lynch.

Viney received a two-week ban after Lynch ended up with a broken jaw and the subsequent suspension reaffirmed the AFL's view that a player's head is sacrosanct and cannot be hit.

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Former greats have condemned the decision, calling it a football accident, but Wingard said it was made in the interest of the players.

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"There's a couple of ways you can approach it but the AFL, they're really just trying to look after every layer and their welfare," Wingard said ahead of training at Adelaide Oval.

"If they think they need to knuckle down on a certain issue, and the bump is obviously an issue, that's what they're going to do to look after everyone's welfare."

Viney leaves the AFL Tribunal. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: News Corp Australia

Wingard disagreed with the notion that the bump was dead.

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He predicted it would still be an important part of football — it just came with the caveat of avoiding your opponent's head.

"It's more the way you go about it," Wingard said.

"As long as the ball is the thing you're concentrating on I think the bump is going to be there, no matter what.

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"It's to help the players. Obviously we don't want them to change the game too much; we love the game the way it is and so do the fans.

"But it's not like they're saying you can't bump. In the end, we're still going to attack the ball and it's still going to be a ruthless game.
"If you hit someone's head you can't do it. It's pretty black and white, I think.

"The players just want some consistency.''