GWS Giants speedster Toby Bedford faces a nervous wait from the match review officer after a heavy tackle on Tim Taranto during Sunday’s win over Richmond.
Star Tiger Taranto sharked a hitout from Toby Nankervis when he was immediately set upon by Bedford.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Taranto dazed after heavy tackle.
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Bedford came from behind and pinned both arms with momentum carrying both players forward.
The umpire didn’t seem the tackle dangerous, but Taranto was clearly dazed and slow to get up.
He eventually made his way from the field and took no further part in the game. He later entered concussion protocols, which will rule him out for at least one match.
The incident is certain to come under scrutiny, which could see Bedford banned for multiple weeks.
Channel 7 commentators Joel Selwood and Luke Darcy could sympathise with Bedford.
“It’s a tackle we’ve seen so many times before, that forward motion and it lands in a severe case because there’s a concussion,” Selwood said.
Darcy added: “I understand where we are heading with the game but for 160 years we have tackled in that way and I don’t think there is anything malicious with what Toby Bedford has done.”
“We are asking a lot of the current player to apply a tackle but be gentle at the end. I understand we are super conscious of protecting the head but at times it is a challenging game to play at the moment for those reasons.”
The pair then noted the fine line players tread, especially in the finals.
“So we think about heading into a prelim final weekend. If that was to miss a grand final, I don’t think it sits well with any football lover,” Selwood said.
“If Toby Bedford doesn’t apply tackles then he doesn’t get a game. It is a delicate balance we tread at the moment,” Darcy added.
Bedford, who had the tagging job on Taranto, was among his side’s best with a whopping 13 tackles to go with his goal and 13 touches.
Skipper Toby Greene was at his creative best as the Giants surged back into the top eight with a 24-point win over lowly Richmond.
Greene made the most of a rare trip to the MCG with an equal game-high four goals in the Giants’ 17.6 (108) to 12.12 (84) victory on Sunday.
The All-Australian captain also had 10 score involvements and directly assisted four goals.
Tom Green (37 touches) and Lachie Whitfield (34) were also influential in a hard-fought victory, while Coleman Medal contender Jesse Hogan matched Greene with four goals.
But there is some concern over Stephen Coniglio, who was substituted out of his third game back from a shoulder injury with soreness in the joint.
It was the Giants’ first visit to the MCG this season and first win over Richmond at the grand final venue from eight attempts.
The result lifted Adam Kingsley’s side back into the top eight with a 10-7 record, just one win off second spot.
Richmond (2-15) remain anchored to the foot of the ladder after a fourth-straight defeat, and lost Tim Taranto to a head knock late in the game as the result of a tackle from tagger Toby Bedford.
Taranto (27 disposals, six clearances) was among the Tigers’ best, as were fellow former Giants midfielder Jacob Hopper (28, five) and returning veteran Dion Prestia (27, four).
Third-gamer Steely Green kicked three goals for the home side, with Jacob Koschitzke, Shai Bolton and Rhyan Mansell adding two each.
Richmond’s contest and clearance work kept them in the contest early, with the Giants holding a narrow 4.3 to 3.4 lead at quarter-time.
Greene was involved in a second-quarter flashpoint when he marked in front of Nathan Broad and gave away a free kick when he shoved his opponent in the face while attempting to shrug him off.
The Giants skipper kicked the game’s next goal moments later, after he pinned Taranto holding the ball against the run of play.
The visitors’ superior efficiency in attack was telling as they led 9.4 to 6.7 at the main break despite trailing in a one-sided inside-50 count (18-29).
Richmond got within eight points before Greene and Hogan both snapped goals – the latter a brilliant effort as the key forward stepped past two defenders to create space.
The quick majors gave GWS breathing space and they ground out the victory despite a brief scare when the Tigers kicked three consecutive goals during the final term.
The crowd of 19,040 was the lowest for a Richmond game at the MCG – outside of pandemic restrictions – since 2004.
– With AAP