ESSENDON captain Matthew Lloyd says the hip-and-shoulder bump could be dead if Bulldog Robert Murphy is suspended this week.Lloyd said players would be loath to risk delivering the traditional bump for fear of being cited for an offence.
"I reckon if Robert Murphy gets done for that, all players will question whether you bother hip and shouldering, because a guy might get lower or you might be hip and shouldering Brent Harvey and he`s, you know, so much smaller than you are," the Bombers` skipper said.
Murphy was reported for rough conduct against Hawthorn`s Xavier Ellis in the second quarter in Launceston on Saturday.
While Lloyd applauded the AFL protecting the head and neck, he said the policing is now affecting the way players approach a contest.
The bump controversy will be in focus with Murphy`s booking and spring-heeled Adelaide goalkicker Brett Burton also in danger of being suspended.
Burton will come under match review panel scrutiny after he crashed into Essendon`s Henry Slattery in Adelaide on Friday night.
West Coast hard man Beau Waters will also be checked for making high contact with Collingwood`s Shane O`Bree at the MCG on Saturday.
The incidents follow Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams accusing the tribunal of "tearing at the fabric of the game" by suspending his star onballer Shaun Burgoyne for three matches after a rough conduct charge for his bump that KO`d Hawthorn`s Sam Mitchell at Launceston in Round 8.
Burton seems the most vulnerable to a penalty for his hit on Slattery late in the first quarter.
Slattery was stooped, attempting to pick up the ball, when the Crows forward delivered a hip-and-shoulder that appeared to make contact high on the Bomber youngster`s head.
Murphy ran past the ball and made contact to Ellis`s face with his left shoulder in the second quarter.
A dazed Ellis had to be helped from the field, but he returned later.
Waters could also be in danger after his last-quarter bump forced O`Bree to leave the ground with a bloodied face.
Essendon`s Adam McPhee was the latest victim of the AFL`s crackdown on illegal head contact when he lost a tribunal challenge to a one-match penalty for a front-on offence against Port Adelaide`s Travis Boak in Round 7.
The AFL toughened its stance against head contact, in particular the front-on bump, at the start of last season after clubs called for more protection against head-high contact to players attempting to win the ball.
And they sought clarification of what constituted a reportable offence.
The league told clubs any bump causing forceful contact to an opponent`s head or neck would be reportable as rough conduct unless the alleged offender had a realistic alternative to either contest the ball, tackle or make an acceptable shepherd.
Thirteen players were booked for front-on bumps last season. Collingwood`s Ben Johnson was hardest hit, suspended for six matches for his forceful contact on Melbourne`s Daniel Bell in Round 20.
