Fansided

Australian football player chokes opponent (Video)

By Cory Buck

Jun 18, 2014; Peoria, AZ, USA; A general view of the pitch before the start of the U.S. Open Cup match between Arizona United SC and the Los Angeles Galaxy at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2014; Peoria, AZ, USA; A general view of the pitch before the start of the U.S. Open Cup match between Arizona United SC and the Los Angeles Galaxy at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

An Australian football game is usually a good excuse for some Foster’s, lots of shouting, and some serious violence on the pitch. It may be more dangerous than its American counterpart, but Australian football is played in the same spirit of sport and competition as any other. Usually, that is.

Brian Lake of Hawthorn FC nearly choked an opposing player to death on the pitch after the two players collided in the course of play, as seen below.

Drew Petrie from North Melbourn was the victim of the attack after the two collided in what appeared to be a fairly normal manner for the game. Lake however appeared to take umbrage with the collision and made right for Petrie’s throat.

While Lake will face severe punishments, it was Petrie’s punishment that quickly drew raised eyebrows.

More from Miscellaneous

Petrie, the choking victim, was suspended one match for “grabbing at his attackers face” per Sportal. Shouldn’t grabbing at your attacker’s anything be perfectly legal, provided the attacker is truly attacking? Not in the eyes of the rule makers, it seems. Never mind what we said before. Australian football is crazy.

Lake will face a tribunal on Tuesday for his choke hold. One assumes it will be for longer than the one game his victim received for self defense.