As the saying goes, perception equals reality.

But what happens when the perception is flawed to begin with?

Lindsay Thomas was paid two legitimate free kicks for high tackles according to the AFL but the fallout has been extraordinary, and over the top.

Given the hysteria in the media, both mainstream and social, you'd be forgiven for thinking Thomas was the most prolific in the league at drawing high free kicks.

The reality couldn’t be further from the perception.

At the conclusion of North’s loss to Sydney, Thomas’ rank in the AFL for drawing high free kicks in 2016 was 41.

In fact, in the past four seasons, he's never even been in the top ten.

2015 rank: #14

2014 rank: #26

2013 rank: #12

2012 rank: #50

It's not the first time in Thomas’ career that he’s been the centre of attention.

After an incident in the wet with Gary Rohan in 2012, the AFL introduced the sliding rule. A standard bump on Ben Reid in 2013 led to inadvertent head contact and the league altered their guidelines on that as well.

A self-admitted bad decision in 2014 to play for an in-the-back free kick against James Kelly brought him more scrutiny.

Earlier this season Brad Scott suggested it was a combination of these incidents, plus others earlier in his career, that people were holding onto.

"If you'd seen a young Lindsay Thomas in 2009, not being able to make eye contact with people he spoke to, to now leading indigenous programs where he presents in front of 80-plus people; he's made a significant transformation.

"But people have got long memories, and Lindsay understands that."

Perhaps it’s those ‘long memories’ coming into play again...

Wayne Carey summed it up perfectly in Channel 7’s post-match coverage on Friday night.

“He’s not ducking, he’s slightly lowering his height and it’s up to the tackler to go lower.

“Your (Cameron Ling’s) captain at Geelong (Joel Selwood) has been a master at it, but he doesn’t draw the criticism that Lindsay gets.

“For whatever reason, Lindsay brings (the hysteria) because of what he did earlier in his career. He’s not doing that anymore.

“It’s a massive overreaction.”

Again it touches on the topic of how Thomas is looked at differently.

This comment on the radio airwaves on Saturday reveals a large part as to why.

"Selwood does it in a tough manner and a really well disguised manner. Lindsay Thomas does it in a manner more akin to soccer. The way he does it doesn’t quite sit nicely," said Brian Taylor.

Ignoring the borderline offensive insinuations that Thomas and soccer players are soft for a moment, the argument essentially boils down to ‘it’s the vibe of the thing.’

It’s irresponsible and unfair to consistently hold one man to different standards than the rest of the competition.

Regardless of any biases or opinions, it’s the very least a person deserves.

High tackle free kicks (2007-2016)

1. 299 - Joel Selwood

2. 145 - Adam Selwood

3. 126 - Marc Murphy

4. 118 - Allen Christensen

5. 114 - Andrew Swallow



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25. 73 - Lindsay Thomas



*Current as at the end of Brisbane's Round 10 match against Hawthorn