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@JonoMarshall
That's where the shift is in my opinion, before people got really mad about high swings (be they wild, playful, elegant or a simple follow through), where as now it seems to be seen as part of the game? It seems like it's gotten to the point where a mallet to the head isn't a foul even though the head is (largely) a static object?
I know "should've got a face cage" is a joke but it's starting to feel real. There is no longer a line between acceptable stick handling and reckless play, it's too blurry, largely because people lean in closer to the ball, but also because we don't seem to have a problem anymore with big swings (I do have a problem with them, hence the rant).
What happens when a loose-accidental-swing becomes a purposeful-knock-to-the-head? Who's going to ref the intent? It's not possible, which is why I think the onus should be on the stick handler to avoid making contact (30 second penalty).
I think banning high sticking is impossible and would be a real shame (it'd be like banning pointy elbows and the potential rib tickling they could give), but I think any mallet-to-body should be heavily scrutinised regardless of any lack of injury (or face splitting). A big swing is fine when the wielder is aware of their surroundings (but if you connect with someone then you're in trouble kind of deal).
The alternative is mandatory face cages and we allow the game to get more physical by proxy, which would be a shame in my opinion.