- Waleed Aly and Kelli Underwood have an icy exchange
- Pair discussed Jimmy Webster’s recent suspension
- Underwood told Aly he was being pedantic
Waleed Aly has been involved in a frosty exchange with his ABC co-star Kelli Underwood over the AFL’s concussion debate and Jimmy Webster’s recent suspension.
St Kilda star Webster was handed a seven-match suspension following his brutal clash with North Melbourne rival Jy Simpkin in a pre-season match.
Underwood and Aly discussed the matter on ABC Offsiders last Sunday, with AFL commentator Underwood stating that Webster was “lucky” to only get seven weeks.
Aly acknowledged that concussions were a serious problem in the sport, but was unsure that the ban on Webster was light.
“Look at the current climate,” Underwood said. ‘Angus Brayshaw has just retired due to concussion.
Waleed Aly got into a heated altercation with co-star Kelli Underwood over the AFL’s concussion debate on ABC Offsiders
Underwood said she thought Jimmy Webster was ‘lucky’ because he only got seven weeks for his preseason bump against Jy Simpkin
‘They will be told. It was rammed down their throats in the pre-season: ‘Don’t do this’. And then he does it in a practice match. He could have snapped the man’s neck backwards. It’s terrible.’
Aly again asked Underwood how seven weeks could be considered lucky.
‘Because times have changed. When Barry Hall threw his punch (on Brent Staker in 2008) and got seven (weeks), we were all furious,” Underwood said.
Journalist Caroline Wilson intervened, adding that the AFL had “raised the bar from last year”, while Webster’s bump would have received a lesser ban.
“Seven (weeks) is a huge blow to the season,” Aly said.
“So if the purpose of this is to create deterrence so players don’t do this, then seven is enough. No player is going to leave the game saying, ‘Is seven weeks worth it? Yes’.
‘They’re not going to do that. So the job is done. Do you want to banish him for life?’
Underwood replied: “No, seven looks like he’s come off lightly, in a way considering Simpkin has had three concussions in the last twelve months and this might be his last. He may then be forced to retire.’
Aly acknowledged that concussion was a serious problem, but he did not think the ban imposed by Webster was light
A frustrated Underwood ended the conversation by telling Aly he was being pedantic
Aly agreed with Underwood and then asked her which punishment she would have preferred.
‘I’m not saying there is a specific punishment. I’m just saying that seven was lucky during this time,” Underwood said.
Aly then asked if Underwood was surprised the AFL only asked for eight weeks.
Underwood responded that she was not.
“But if you’re not surprised they asked for eight…” Aly said.
Underwood then shut Aly down and told him he was “being pedantic” as the panel transitioned to a new topic.