Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson laments the problem of the fast-paced modern game. "It is a brutal game that is played at a breakneck speed. There is very, very little time to make a decision." Clarkson's comments have raised the question as to the place of "the bump" in today's AFL game.
''We try to tell our players: 'Don't worry about the bump any more because it's just not worth the risk. There's some instances where you're running after the footy and chasing a player and what turns out to be something that you - where you think you're just going to lay a tackle, when he comes straight back at you, you haven't got time to tackle. 'That's what I'm saying about the speed of the game.'' Clarkson also points to Franklin's almost two meter height as a factor.
Players and coaching staff will have to modify their tackling techniques and adjust their tactics as a result of this suspension. The AFL's main focus is the safety of its players. They don't want to see players badly hurt through collisions. The result has been a crack down on "the bump" and potentially harmful tackles that could cause head injury.
For Franklin this will mean paying the price for his on-field sins and sitting on the sideline for the week. The Hawks need another win over Port Adelaide this weekend to keep their season hopes alive. The loss of Franklin could be a pivotal point in their season's journey.
The Franklin suspension highlights the principle that when laws are broken, someone has to pay. The Bible also highlights this principle.
When we ignore God this does two things. Firstly, it causes God pain. Secondly, it causes us to be separated from God. Even if we don't mean it or know we have done wrong, the Bible says when we sin - that earns a wage. Someone has to pay. The fact is, Jesus came to pay that price for us. He paid with his life, because that is how serious our penalty is, and how much He loves us. His perfect playing performance was credited to us and He pays the price for our suspension.
That is not rough justice but a gracious gift.