Health and safety in any workplace are essential, and the Australian Football League (AFL) must always be looking for ways to improve the on-field safety of players. Now and then, the AFL needs to test the water on what is accepted in the game when it comes to bone-crunching collisions between players.

This week, Adelaide Crows veteran player, David McKay, was referred to the tribunal for a heavy hit on St Kilda player Hunter Clark. Both players collided heavily whilst contesting a loose ball. David McKay collided with the head of his opponent, and Hunter Clark sustained severe jaw fractures and concussion. He is unlikely to play again this season.

The AFL argued the bumping incident was avoidable. They suggested that Mackay's actions were unreasonable, knowing that hitting a contest at that speed was likely to be high contact, and an injury was almost inevitable. However, after listening to more than two hours of evidence in an often testy case, the three-member jury concluded that Mackay's conduct was not unreasonable, and he is free to play this week.

Had the tribunal suspended McKay, it would have sent shockwaves through the game. The bump is a critical component of the game, and if players are going to be suspended for hard bumps, then the game will be changed forever. Fortunately, that was not the case, and the bump lives to fight another day.