‘Confused’: Lions boss miffed by controversial Cripps verdict as coaches conflicted

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan says he’s “confused” about high contact interpretation after Patrick Cripps had his two-game suspension overturned by AFL Appeals Board for bumping Callum Ah Chee that left the Lion concussed.

Cripps is free to play this weekend following a marathon hearing — an outcome that’s ignited debate from the footy world including dual premiership Kangaroo David King declaring the game has “never been more lost.”

Speaking after his side’s win over St Kilda on night — a game Ah Chee missed due to concussion protocols — Fagan was miffed by the decision to clear Cripps amid the league’s crackdown on protecting players’ heads.

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“I‘m probably a bit confused about how that’s going to be interpreted going forward,” the Lions boss told reporters.

“Good on Carlton for pursuing it and getting their player free, but I thought we were all about protecting the head and Cal Ah Chee had no chance whatsoever to protect his own head last week.

“He was off early in the game last week and he’s not playing this week as a result of it, so we get penalised for that and unfortunately Cal gets injured.”

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It comes after Blues coach Michael Voss on Friday said hoped the decision to overturn the ban gives players “greater clarity” with regards to how they approach contests.

Voss, who initially said he didn’t think Cripps had a case to answer, said it played out “as we’d hoped” despite debate confusion from the footy community.

“I hope it actually gives more clarity in some ways. We always felt like, as a player, you have an ability to be able to contest the ball,” Voss said on Friday.

“That was the initial feel we had and we maintain that. The interpretation of that we felt like it was going to come out that way.

“I think the game still lends to evenly contesting the ball and that’s not changed. The rules state it that way and that‘s the way we read the rules and interpret the situation and we followed through on that.

“Maybe that gives greater clarity for everyone, but the fact is we felt like we had a really great case.”