Patrick Cripps expressed his disappointment that Isaac Heeney was not eligible for the Brownlow Medal and called for a review of the criteria for the award.
Cripps, considered one of Heeney’s biggest challengers for the game’s most prestigious award, said the Swans superstar played “the right way” and did not deserve to miss out on the medal if he was banned for his hit on St Kilda’s Jimmy Webster.
Heeney was due to appeal his one-match ban on Tuesday night after he attempted to push Webster off to get the ball in the final period of the Swans’ defeat on Sunday, but hit the Saints defender too high in the process.
If his suspension is upheld, Heeney could become the third player to score the most points on Brownlow Medal night but be unable to win the medal due to an in-season suspension.
Corey McKernan (1996) and Chris Grant (1997) topped the list for two consecutive years but were ineligible due to a match suspension, while Jobe Watson was stripped of his 2012 medal years later in the Essendon supplement saga.
“That’s a difficult question, it’s obviously a rule that’s been there from the beginning. I think it’s not the rules that have changed, but how we protect the head and small incidents, that’s definitely something that needs to be reviewed at the end of the year,” Cripps said.
“It would be a terrible thing if someone like Isaac, if he (the Count) won, were to miss the chance.
“He’s had a great year, he’s a great player and I feel like he’s playing the game the right way… that’s all I can say.”
Cripps’ 2022 Brownlow seat only came after a marathon tribunal hearing where he was ultimately acquitted after being suspended for a high kick that caused a concussion on Brisbane’s Callum Ah Chee.
“It’s out of your control in some ways,” he said when asked about the emotions of the hearing.
“Of course you have to say your part, but I’m sure you can make your case and I wish (Heeney) all the best in doing so.”
Melbourne captain Max Gawn was happy that the entry rules remained the same and said it would add extra excitement to the evening if Heeney was not eligible.
“I think I’m a bit of a traditionalist in a lot of things – I like the idea of the best and fairest missing out on the Brownlow,” he said.
“It’s been over 25 years (McKernan and Grant won), so it doesn’t happen that often. I mean, it will make for an interesting Brownlow count.
“I love Brownlow nights, so if Heeney wins up there, the room will be talking.”