Protection

The perceived danger thing is a funny one, I personally find the aggression much more controlled than what it once was (which I see as rising in-line with the adoption of shoulder checks and "holding your space" across Europe).

High-sticking is reckless behavior, but we've always gone with the "fine if you know no-one's near you" mentality (which doesn't seem to hold up to scrutiny as most people have no idea what's behind them, etc).

If someone was hit in the face from a swing I'd see that as 30 seconds (non-malicious strong foul), intent has nothing to do with it, you have to keep your equipment "in check". The problem is that a face cage negates the "danger" of a high swing (and is often missed by ref's now), so does that mean it's allowed? What about swinging and hitting the neck/arms/chest/groin, is that to be padded up against too, or are we actually going to call mallet-to-body regardless of protection worn, etc?

I have no problem with getting the odd mallet to the face as long as the penalty's called and the player says "sorry". What I am concerned about is presenting the game as "dangerous" to the masses and the slow acceptance that high swinging is allowed as it's no longer as dangerous (for most people).