By Nick Bowen 1:30 PM Fri 09 Nov, 2012
North Melbourne has been fined $20,000 for being uncooperative in the investigation into Lachie Hansen's concussion
NORTH Melbourne has escaped penalty under the AFL's concussion guidelines for its handling of Lachlan Hansen after a round 20 head knock, but has been fined $20,000 for its lack of cooperation during the AFL's subsequent lengthy investigation.
The AFL announced on Friday it had concluded its investigation into North's decision to send Hansen back onto the ground after his accidental collision with Essendon's Nathan Lovett-Murray during North's round 20 clash with the Bombers, back on August 12.
The AFL said there was insufficient evidence to find North had breached the concussion guidelines.
However, the AFL announced North would be fined $20,000 for breaching a rule that requires clubs to fully cooperate and provide all relevant information and evidence to AFL investigators.
Half of that fine will be suspended for three years.
AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said the AFL was extremely concerned by North Melbourne's lack of cooperation during an investigation into the welfare of one of its players.
"Whilst there was no finding that there was any attempt to deliberately mislead investigators, North Melbourne now accepts that its conduct at times was not at a standard acceptable to an AFL investigation," Anderson said.
"The club has acknowledged it could have provided information and responses in a timelier manner and it could have been more proactive in helping to resolve the matter.
"It has provided the AFL with an unqualified apology for the delays in the investigation.
"It is pleasing that North Melbourne has now changed its internal processes to improve its response to any future AFL investigations with more direct CEO involvement and the oversight of the club’s board."
The AFL's investigation was sparked when North co-vice-captain Drew Petrie told ABC Radio after the round 20 game that he had seen Hansen vomiting at half-time (a statement that Petrie later he told the AFL was mistaken).
Petrie was one of a number of North Melbourne people interviewed during the investigation, along with club doctor Andy McMahon, medical services director Steve Saunders and football chief Donald McDonald.
As the investigation dragged on, Petrie said in September the AFL needed to "tidy up their investigation and get on with it".
Petrie's comment drew a stern response from AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou.
"I'd just caution Drew. This is an ongoing, serious investigation," Demetriou said.
Nick Bowen covers North Melbourne news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nick
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