AFL mulling over crucial rule change after landmark Tribunal case

The AFL will consider implementing rule changes at the end of the season following the landmark tribunal case involving Adelaide veteran David Mackay.

The Crows midfielder was cleared of any wrongdoing on Thursday night despite the AFL's legal counsel recommending a minimum three-game suspension.

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His collision with Hunter Clark resulted in the St Kilda youngster suffering a broken jaw, with the AFL deeming Mackay engaged in rough conduct that was unreasonable in the circumstances.

AFL football boss Steve Hocking said he respected the tribunal's decision but stood by the original grading of the incident.

If a similar situation were to happen this weekend, or for the rest of the season, the AFL would likely again send the case to the tribunal.

"We never asserted that David Mackay set out to hurt Hunter Clark but we did consider that he acted carelessly and unreasonably in the circumstances," Hocking said.

"The AFL will not hesitate to take action where the health and safety of players is impacted or at risk.

"There is an ongoing process in review of the rules to protect the health and safety of all players.

"The outcome of the tribunal will be considered in that review. If necessary rules will be adjusted at the end of the season.

"We make no apologises for taking action to make the game safer for participants at all levels."

Hocking said it was "line-ball" when referring Mackay's controversial case - which angered many high-profile football figures - to the tribunal.

"(Match review officer) Michael Christian and myself worked through it and took a considerable amount of time," he said.

"It got to a point with my executive powers I was able to refer it and the reason for that was it was a line-ball decision."

Crows' David Mackay cleared in landmark AFL case

A jury of former players David Neitz, Paul Williams and Richard Loveridge on Thursday night found Mackay was within his rights to contest the ball with Clark during last Saturday night's match in Cairns.

In doing so, they rejected AFL legal counsel Jeff Gleeson's argument that Mackay could have foreseen injuring Clark as he charged in at high speed and should have held back to tackle his opponent.

Mackay is now free to play in Adelaide's next match, against Carlton on June 27.

"It was not unreasonable for Mackay to go for the ball," the jury said in a statement of its findings, concluding a three-hour hearing.

"Both players got to the contest at virtually the same time and both were seeking to collect the ball.

"In those circumstances, Mackay's conduct was not unreasonable."

Many high-profile football figures are relieved with the decision after widespread fears during the lead-up to the hearing that a suspension for Mackay would have changed the way players attack loose balls.

Adelaide's legal counsel Andrew Culshaw called three witnesses - Mackay, Crows data analyst Chris Sheedy and biomechanics expert Dr Robert Crowther - in an attempt to prove the player's actions were not unreasonable.

"You have two incredibly brave players going full tilt at a loose ball," Culshaw said.

"This was a 50-50 ball. There is nothing unreasonable about a player going hell-for-leather for a 50-50 ball."

Mackay, 32, repeatedly stated he believed he would beat Clark to the ball "right up until point of collision".

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