AFL acknowledges penalty inadequacy for Hawthorn's 19-player breach

Charlie Curnow's return to the Carlton team has raised questions after his performance against Hawthorn. Curnow, who struggled in the game and was outplayed, believed earlier in the week that he was not ready to play. However, after being cleared by medical staff, he felt it was his responsibility to participate. Coach Michael Voss defended his decision, stating Curnow adds value to the team despite his performance. The AFL has acknowledged that Hawthorn should have faced a stricter penalty for fielding 19 players during the match. According to league rules, this is considered a "major breach." The AFL admitted that Carlton should have received a free kick and a 50-meter penalty due to this error. Hawthorn's coach, Sam Mitchell, described the situation as a miscommunication on the bench. In a related note, Max Rooke's concussion lawsuit against the AFL is currently stalled. A judge has suggested mediation between Rooke, the AFL, and Geelong to expedite the process. The judge noted that the case has seen little progress over the past two years and that an informal discussion could save costs and time for all parties involved.