Jackson Archer's Suspension Upheld After Collision With Luke Cleary

North Melbourne's Jackson Archer has had his three-match suspension for rough conduct upheld following the AFL Tribunal's decision on March 18, 2025. The ruling stems from his collision with Western Bulldogs defender Luke Cleary during their match at Marvel Stadium on March 15, 2025. The tribunal found Archer's actions to be excessively reckless, resulting in Cleary being knocked unconscious.

The hearing took over two hours, including 39 minutes of deliberation, culminating in the Tribunal's conclusion. Tribunal chairman Jeff Gleeson noted the serious nature of the incident, stating, "Archer approached the contest at excessive speed, giving himself no reasonable opportunity to avoid harmful contact with Cleary." The finding classed the collision as 'unreasonable rough conduct' and ruled Archer out of matches against Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney.

The incident left Cleary needing on-field medical assistance before being transported to the hospital, which understandably sparked widespread debate among fans and analysts about player safety and player conduct on the field. Post-match discussions saw both coaches—North Melbourne's Alastair Clarkson and the Bulldogs' Luke Beveridge—deeming the collision to be more of an unfortunate accident rather than malicious intent.

Archer himself stated he expected Cleary to stay on his feet during the play, saying, "I expected him to pick up the ball and stay on his feet." His perception of the moment changed when Cleary dropped down to collect the ball, forcing Archer to brace for impact at the last moment. Archer claimed he attempted to decelerate, maintaining, "My bum’s down, trying to slow down as much as I can." Yet, the Tribunal's decision clearly indicated they believed he failed to take sufficient precaution to protect Cleary during the contest.

To defend Archer, North Melbourne presented GPS data showing he had decreased his speed by about 25 percent as he approached the collision. Gleeson acknowledged the data but concluded, "the evidence indicates he did reduce his speed by about 25 percent prior to impact," yet emphasized this was still not adequate enough considering the circumstances.

Within the wider conversation on player conduct, former St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt remarked on the nature of the collision, saying, "It's a violent collision... I'm just really fearful for the game itself if this guy gets three weeks for this accident. You can’t legislate accidents out of the game." Riewoldt's sentiments echo growing concerns about the rising number of suspensions linked to dangerous plays and concussions, signaling how the sport is grappling with player safety at its core.

The debate wasn't just restricted to the incident involving Archer and Cleary; Richmond's Tom Lynch also faced scrutiny, as his one-match suspension for rough conduct on Carlton's Tom De Koning was upheld on the same day. Lynch's suspension highlights the broader scope of concern surrounding player safety and how the league governs conduct on the field. The Tribunal's decisions, reflecting the message from the AFL about its commitment to player health and safety, show the strong stance being taken against high-risk plays.

Looking forward, Archer will be sidelined for the initial matches of the season but will be eligible to return for round five against Gold Coast. His absence could be pivotal for North Melbourne at the start of the season, as they look to establish momentum early on.

Archer, who is the son of North Melbourne legend Glenn Archer, expressed remorse after the incident and reached out to Cleary the following day. According to Archer, Cleary told him through texts, "He didn't think it was my fault and said I’ve got nothing to stress about," indicating some level of camaraderie remains off the field, regardless of the severity of the incident. This exchange reflects both players' acknowledgment of how unpredictable and dangerous high-speed collisions can be.

Overall, the ruling opens discussions not only about this specific incident but about the broader ethics of play and the responsibility players hold not just for themselves, but for their opponents on the field. The balance of enforcing accountability versus recognizing the unpredictable nature of contact sports continues to challenge organizations like the AFL.

With the focus now shifting to how the league addresses these issues moving forward, teams, players, and coaches alike will be watching closely. The incident demonstrates the existing tensions between competitive spirit and athlete safety, raising the question of how best to protect players in high-contact sports without altering the very nature of the game.