Clarkson apologises for expletive-laden spray as Webster sent to tribunal for Simpkin hit

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has apologised for verbally abusing St Kilda defender Jimmy Webster, as the veteran expressed his remorse for a heavy bump that left Kangaroos captain Jy Simpkin concussed in a practice match on Sunday.

On a day when Webster said he was ready to face up to the “consequences” for his actions, and coach Ross Lyon said there was no defence for Webster’s hit, Clarkson was forced to backtrack after he admitted to an expletive-ridden, quarter-time spray towards Webster at Moorabbin. The AFL confirmed on Monday night it had officially asked Clarkson to explain his behaviour.

Clarkson reportedly used the term “c—sucker”, which was heard by several players, club staff and AFLW footy boss Tess McManus.

“I was deeply disturbed seeing our captain Jy Simpkin forced from the field as a result of a heavy collision just before quarter-time,” Clarkson said on Monday.

“Jy has had a great pre-season and has now had three concussions in 12 months, and I was so disappointed to see him leave the field in that way.

“At the quarter-time break, I voiced my displeasure to St Kilda players Jimmy Webster and Dougal Howard as they made their way to the quarter-time huddle. This was an exchange that was emotional in defence of our captain, but unnecessary and the language I used was inappropriate.

“I have reached out to Ross Lyon and both the St Kilda players to apologise.”

Clarkson has a history of verbal altercations. He abused an umpires official at his son’s junior football match in 2012, two Port Melbourne VFL players in 2013 and had run-ins with journalists.

In 2009 Clarkson was handed a suspended fine of $5000 for an outburst at Essendon spearhead Matthew Lloyd, after Lloyd knocked out Hawthorn player Brad Sewell.

AFL match review officer Michael Christian reviewed footage of the Webster incident on Monday, with Webster referred directly to the tribunal for a hit deemed to be of severe impact, high contact and careless conduct.

Apology: North Melbourne coach has said sorry for abusing Jimmy Webster on Sunday.

He faces a suspension of at least three games, but dual North Melbourne premiership player David King has called for a 10-match suspension.

Simpkin, 25, was kicking when Webster, 30, jumped off the ground in a late and high collision that left Simpkin concussed and prematurely ended his afternoon.

“I deeply regret my actions in yesterday’s game. I’ve reached out to Jy and cannot understate my remorse,” Webster said in a statement on Monday.

“My thoughts are with Jy and his family, and I hope he has a speedy and successful recovery. I fully recognise the importance of protecting players’ heads and in this instance, I failed to meet that much-needed standard. I will present to the tribunal and understand there will be consequences for my actions.”

AFL chief executive officer Andrew Dillon told Fox Sports’ AFL 360 program he agreed with St Kilda’s assessment that, “this is an action that we don’t need in our game and we don’t want it in our game”.

“It was really clear to me it was going to be going straight to the tribunal,” Dillon said.

The league chief said the comments attributed to Clarkson were not appropriate.

“Senior coaches or officials approaching players at breaks in play isn’t something that we want to see,” Dillon said.

“When you overlay what’s been reported, it’s language that Alastair has already come out and said it’s inappropriate, it’s something I don’t like, and we don’t need it in our game.”

Lyon, speaking at Moorabbin, said there was no defence for Webster’s actions, with the game needing to change the on-field behaviour of players. He said Webster was “really concerned” about Simpkin’s health.

“He’s … very remorseful but it was a split-second action. It’s very difficult,” Lyon said.

“It’s just a very difficult situation. Really concerned for both lads, in particular Jy because it was very heavy physical contact.

Jy Simpkin is taken off the ground on Sunday following the heavy hit he copped from St Kilda’s Jimmy Webster.

“Jimmy’s remorseful. Clearly there’s no defence to it. We always support the person [to] change the behaviour.

“We’ve got to continue to evolve the game, but we’re devastated for both boys involved and there’s not much, obviously, I can do about it. If we could change things we would, but we can’t.”

Veteran concussion campaigner Peter Jess, who maintains independent data on head knocks in the AFL and second-tier competitions, said Webster must face a ban of at least eight weeks.

“Unfortunately, this reconfirms a failure of the system to actually change the culture from one of bravery, to a culture of one of safety. If this doesn’t change, these incidents will continue to happen,” said Jess, who has had a host of former players cognitively assessed for post-career issues linked to concussions.

Simpkin was twice concussed last year, and has had three concussions in his career. Now in 12-day minimum concussion protocols, the hard-running midfielder is in doubt for the round-one clash against Greater Western Sydney on March 16.

The incident came a week after the AFL tribunal made a statement in suspending Port Adelaide’s Sam Powell-Pepper for four weeks for his high bump on Adelaide’s Mark Keane during match simulation, and just weeks after Melbourne premiership midfielder Angus Brayshaw had to medically retire from the sport because of the ongoing effects of concussion.

Webster’s brutal hit has sparked a ferocious reaction, with Collingwood great Nathan Buckley saying on Monday that Webster could face a “massive” suspension.

Lyon did not buy into suggestions there should be blanket bans for serious head knocks.

“It’s not for me to be judge and jury. I think it’s all evolving, we’ll let the experts take care of it. It’s, obviously, devastating for all involved,” he said.

The Webster incident comes as the AFL prepares to release its latest concussion protocols, with the return-to-play rules set to be tightened. The minimum rest period for a concussed player of 12 days is expected to remain, but the league will enforce greater scrutiny on returning players. An AFL spokeswoman said on Monday the rejigged protocols will be released later this week.

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