Opinions are set to be divided after West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern was slapped with a one-match AFL ban for his shove on Essendon’s Matt Guelfi.
Guelfi cannoned into a plastic chair and then head-first into the fence after being shoved by McGovern near the boundary line during Thursday night’s 35-point loss to West Coast.
The young Bomber was taken to hospital for scans on his ribs, but was later cleared of any structural damage and flew back to Melbourne on Friday.
It’s believed Guelfi also suffered a suspected concussion from the incident.
AFL match review officer Michael Christian graded the incident as careless conduct, medium impact, and high contact, drawing a one-match ban.
West Coast have until Tuesday to decide whether they will appeal.
If the Eagles can successfully argue that McGovern’s actions were legal, or that the medium impact grading should be reduced to low, then the star defender can escape with a fine.
The presence of the security guard sitting on the plastic chair complicated matters.
West Coast might argue that if the plastic chair wasn’t there, then Guelfi’s injuries wouldn’t have been as serious.
However, the counter argument is that a player has a duty of care for his opponent’s safety when making contact so close to the boundary fence.
If the one-match ban stands, McGovern will miss next week’s clash with Hawthorn at the MCG.
Essendon received a triple dose of good news after three of their players escaped suspension.
Ruckman Tom Bellchambers was slapped with a $3000 fine for his high bump on Luke Shuey.
Christian assessed the incident as careless conduct, low impact, and high contact.
Mason Redman copped a $2000 sanction for kicking Oscar Allen with a back heel.
And Dylan Clarke was fined $1000 for pushing a player into the path of an umpire.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Got to agree on Bellchambers. Although there was less impact it it looked more like intentional contact than careless and could have caused severe injury to Shuey. Also don’t understand how a player found guilty of the lowest act in kicking a player only cops a $2k fine.
Lroy
Guest
It wasnt high, it wasnt late, there is nothing technically he did wrong...so why was he rubbed out?
WCE
Roar Rookie
Its ok to kick a player in the guts but just dont push . Complete and utter brainless decision by the MRP . If a Eagles player kicked a player the tribunal would be calling for a public hanging
Peter Warrington
Guest
yes it's a ridiculous interpretation for mine.
Jack
Guest
I don’t know how they deemed it to be high-contact? Are shoulder blades now high? Another case of the AFL determining the penalty based on the outcome/injury rather than the act itself. AFL is going downhill quickly!
User
Roar Rookie
It'll be a challenge. Got to wonder how bellchambers only was a fine but oh well.