Father disappointed with tribunal verdict
Crocs
The father of a Port Douglas Crocs AFL player left convulsing and unable to move following an unsavoury collision near halftime during a recent senior AFL Cairns match has broken his silence to express his anger, dismay and disappointment regarding the troublesome incident.
In a highly charged and emotional interview Brad Mawson, father of son Josh, a Crocs onballer that was left with two breaks in his jaw, loose teeth, and ongoing concussion in the aftermath of heavy contact by Cutters’ skipper Brad Johansen spoke out to condemn both the incident and the consequential decision by the judiciary to only suspend him for just four weeks.
“I was at home watching the game live on Cluch TV, and what I saw unfold was absolutely horrific,” a highly distressed Mr Mawson, an experienced former Aussie Rules player himself, told Newsport down the line from his home just outside of Brisbane.
“Watching my son lay on the floor, not knowing how he was, was extremely difficult.
“It’s the worst broken jaw I’ve ever seen… In my opinion he was lined up and hit. It’s my view that it was as intentional as it could get.
“In addition to only get four weeks for an intentional act is incredibly disappointing.
“It’s my view that this is the time the league could have actually taken a stand and said ‘we’re sick of this… we are drawing a line in the sand’. To give four weeks’ for that is an embarrassing decision by the judiciary.
“I feel no less than 12 weeks would have been adequate for that incident.”
The ramifications for 21-year-old Mawson have been significant, just over a week since the match. The Council worker is now expected to take around six weeks’ off work, while his fragile jaw starts the slow process of properly healing.
The on baller may also require brain scans because of ongoing headaches since the collision. It’s also understood some of the young player’s teeth remain loose, and that he may require further dental work in the months’ to come.
The young player is expected to fly to Brisbane in the coming days to spend time with his father and sister – a trip to Fraser Island is also soon on the cards.
“I also wanted to say this – for Brad Cooper and his men to play such measured footy in the aftermath of what happened was incredible,” Mr Mawson, who works in the disability sector, noted.
“It would have been so easy to let the emotions take over, but they stuck to the footy and got the job done – it was inspiring to see that happen and they deserve a lot of credit for it.”
It remains unknown if the talented young prospect will return to the park later this year or whether such an incident will sway the premiership player to walk away from the game for good.
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