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Simpson addresses Vardy-Gawn incident

Adam Simpson told his ruckman not to do it again.

Published by
Stephen Marson

West Coast coach Adam Simpson has addressed the incident between ruckmen Nathan Vardy and Max Gawn on Friday night.

Following Liam Ryan's grab over Gawn midway through the final quarter, Vardy - who had been beaten by Gawn throughout the contest, went over to the Demons' big man and shoved him in the back while he was on lying on the ground.

The incident didn't sit well in the Channel 7 commentary box, and Simpson agreed it wasn't the smartest move from the Eagles' premiership-winning ruckman.

“I think there was as bit of banter going in one direction most of the night,” Simpson told SEN’s Crunch Time.

“When you’re Max Gawn and you’ve had 50 hit-outs to advantage, I think Vardy took the opportunity to try and at least return a bit of lip – but it wasn’t a great look for us.

“We don’t really like that type of thing and you don’t need to do it. I think when he saw him on the ground, he took an opportunity to give him some feedback which I think Vards was getting most of the night.

“I’ve spoken to Vards and I said: ‘Mate, you don’t need to do that.’ No harm, foul really, but it’s just not a great look.”

Vardy amassed just seven hitouts on the night, his equal-lowest tally since he recorded just six against Fremantle late in 2013.

Published by
Stephen Marson