Two-time Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett junior is set to miss a game through suspension for the first time in his long career after he was offered a one-match ban on Monday.
The AFL’s Match Review Officer Michael Christian announced the decision on Monday afternoon to offer Ablett a one-week suspension for striking Anthony Miles in Geelong’s Round 10 match versus Gold Coast.
Ablett will still have the option of challenging the suspension at the tribunal if hopes to play next week, as he successfully did when offered a ban for Dylan Shiel earlier this month.
If Ablett accepts the suspension – or is unsuccessful at the tribunal – he will miss this Saturday’s match against the Sydney Swans at GMHBA Stadium, which could become a danger match for the Cats if vice-captain Patrick Dangerfield remains also unavailable.
Christian’s view of the incident was that it was intentional conduct with low impact to the head.
If Ablett does take the decision to the tribunal, then arguing the blow was ‘insufficient force’ to be considered a reportable offence would likely be his best chance of getting off.
No other players were suspended from Round 10, though Clayton Oliver, Toby Greene and Luke Dunstan were all given $2000 penalties for striking charges.
RT
Roar Rookie
You jest, but you are right.
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
Anger management = Winky pop/Bells beach head high expression session. That should do the trick for Gazza!
Billbob
Roar Rookie
Get him ready for there tigers
michael RVC
Roar Pro
Nice to see you standing up for footy integrity.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
For consistencies sake he should've got off.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
But he is a big nong
Geelong Tiger
Roar Rookie
Should have made it two weeks then :)
anon
Roar Pro
Gaz Sr was the biggest sniper in the game. People never talk about that (or how Dunstall and Lockett were better forwards).
Peter Warrington
Guest
What, no outrage at what could have happened?
Cat
Roar Guru
Meh. Overdue for a week off to rest up anyway. No biggie.
Raimond
Roar Guru
This is almost a tradition now.
anon
Roar Pro
This guy needs to be ironed out.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
There were supposed to be some rests for Ablett this year, no doubt thinking of the physical toll on an older body but perhaps the mental toll has been underestimated.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Geelong should fine him as well and not fight the charge. Plus send him to anger management
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Good.