Tigers bolstered by premiership stars; Magpie Cox reprimanded for pushing Mumford

Cox reprimanded by AFL for pushing Mumford

Collingwood big man Mason Cox has been reprimanded by the AFL for pushing GWS ruck coach Shane Mumford in a bizarre incident before their opening-round match.

After apologising on Monday for making contact with Mumford, Cox will have no further action taken against him after the AFL completed their investigation.

“Noting Cox’s contrition and the club’s commitment in supporting him to be more aware in the future, the AFL has determined to issue a reprimand to Cox and take no further action,” the league statement read.

“It is important that all players conduct themselves professionally particularly during breaks and in the periods prior to and following matches.”

Collingwood and Cox were forced to explain themselves to the AFL after the incident was captured by cameras.

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Clarkson declines to elaborate on outburst

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has refused to answer questions in his first press conference since being fined for an explosive tirade at St Kilda players.

Clarkson vowed to work on controlling his famous temper after last week receiving a $20,000 fine and a suspended two-match ban for an outburst directed at Saints defenders Jimmy Webster and Dougal Howard.

His spray came after Webster delivered a heavy bump on North co-captain Jy Simpkin, who remains sidelined after his third concussion in 12 months.

Clarkson, who has accepted the sanctions, was asked to explain his actions to the AFL after allegedly using the homophobic slur “c—sucker” in the flashpoint during North’s practice match against the Saints.

The 55-year-old issued two statements regarding the incident, and gave a TV interview after being sanctioned by the AFL.

But ahead of North’s round-one game against Greater Western Sydney, Clarkson was forced to front a press conference for the first time, and became involved in a tense exchange.

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“We dealt with all that last week mate, so I’m happy that last week’s over,” Clarkson said at Arden St on Tuesday.

“I covered all that last Monday through Friday, so we’re in a position now where we just want to focus on this week rather than the past.”

The famously fiery coach was then asked if he felt he would be able to change his behaviour.

“I said last week we were going to put some things in place … who knows mate?,” he said.

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Neale laments Brisbane’s ‘selfishness’

Lachie Neale has delivered a brutal assessment of his side’s shock loss to Carlton in their AFL opener, saying selfishness and complacency crept in as the Brisbane Lions gave up a 46-point lead at the Gabba.

Last season’s beaten grand finalists head to Perth to play Fremantle on Sunday after their 14-game home-ground winning streak was sensationally snapped by the Blues last Friday night.

Co-captain Neale and his teammates reviewed the one-point loss on Monday and came to some stark conclusions.

“A little bit of selfishness,” Neale said.

“We probably thought the scoreboard was ticking along alright so maybe that intensity dropped away a little bit.

“We chose some easy options, a little bit lazy on defence sometimes.

“We didn’t dig in, and basically you’re s—ting on your teammates when you don’t do that.

“Maybe guys bought into how good we are and how well we’re going (after two pre-season wins).

“We certainly know we’re not ahead of the rest and still chasing.

“We haven’t achieved anything yet; we want to be the hunters.”

Missed chances haunted the Lions in a lopsided third quarter, Charlie Cameron botching a set shot from directly in front and Joe Daniher firing away from long-range when he had teammates streaming forward in better positions.

“Some guys were probably doubting their skills,” Neale said.

“We spoke about it last year; we don’t want to be that team that goes back into their shells.”

Irish defender Conor McKenna trained on Tuesday and is a chance to return from a hamstring strain in what would be close to a like-for-like replacement for Keidean Coleman, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament on the stroke of halftime on Friday.

“He’ll be around the mark,” Neale said of McKenna.

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“But Kiddy’s (Coleman) going to be a huge loss.

“Our most damaging user off halfback, such a crucial cog in our team.”

Neale confirmed the club would submit a formal, written challenge to his $2500 fine for striking Carlton’s George Hewett in the stomach.

Hewett has accepted his own fine after being charged for striking Neale – contact was made in the neck and jaw region – as the pair engaged in a back and forth in the third quarter.

Hewett’s contact with Neale was deemed careless and high, while Neale’s was judged to be intentional.

“I don’t really know what that deserved,” Neale said.

“I know he didn’t mean to hit me in the head, but his got graded careless and mine intentional, which is quite strange.”

AAP