GWS star Toby Greene has been handed a two-match suspension for his high fend-off on Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield, but will challenge the ban at the AFL tribunal.
Greene caught Dangerfield in the throat with his elbow as he attempted to avoid being tackled during the first quarter of Friday night’s game at GMHBA Stadium.
Dangerfield had to be substituted out of the match and was taken to hospital for precautionary reasons, with coach Chris Scott saying the Cats ace had trouble breathing.
The midfielder was discharged from hospital on Saturday, with scans showing bruising of his laryngeal but no fracture or significant throat injury.
On Saturday, match review officer Michael Christian charged Greene with striking and assessed the incident as careless conduct, high impact and high contact, which draws a two-match ban.
The Giants immediately confirmed they would appeal the suspension, which if it stands, would rule Greene out of potentially finals-defining games against Richmond and Carlton.
“We firmly believe this was a football action and doesn’t warrant a suspension,” GWS football boss Jason McCartney said.
“As such, we will challenge the initial ruling at the tribunal.”
Stand-in captain Greene booted four goals in the upset win over Geelong which lifted GWS back into the top eight.
Scott had played down Greene’s actions post-match, saying incidents needed to be looked at in real time.
The Greene-Dangerfield clash was similar to Melbourne forward Bayley Fritsch’s high contact with North Melbourne’s Tom Powell earlier this season.
Fristch was offered a one-match suspension for striking but had his ban overturned at the tribunal.
Meanwhile, Geelong skipper Joel Selwood received a $3000 fine for a second offence of rough conduct, for a high bump on GWS defender Sam Taylor in the third quarter.
Selwood’s indiscretion was considered careless conduct, low impact and high contact.
Marty
Roar Rookie
And Buddy’s wasn’t? He ‘accidentally’ threw an elbow in the direction of Ryan’s head? You’re joking right? Funny thing about Buddy, he seems to have a lot of ‘accidents’ that end up with an opposition player nursing a sore jaw or concussion.
Jamie
Guest
It should be noted at Dagerfield is a well known Drama Queen.
O M
Roar Rookie
Completely different actions so Buddy cannot be used as precedent. Grubby Greene's elbow was clearly deliberate.
Boo
Guest
The Sports lover I'm a Cat fan but do agree Selwood got off light probable a week out was fair .I don't agree that Selwood and Greens incidents were careless Toby threw an elbow which is not part of the game whilst Joels bump was careless .Toby Green is a star who does too many stupid things but ironucally seems to dominate after these incidents.
The Sports Lover
Roar Rookie
I continue to be frustrated by the AFL’s attitude to foul play. There is too much reliance on the injury outcome and not enough attention to the actual foul play incident itself. I understand that they are following long established principles of English law but they have taken it to far Selwood’s victim jumps up without injury – slap on wrist to the perpetrator. Greene’s victim goes off injured – two game ban to the perpetrator. Yet both incidents contained similar examples of careless or reckless play and it’s good luck or bad luck that decides the penalty.
Lee
Guest
Change his name to Selwood - that will get him off
berrlins
Roar Pro
Should appeal and should get off considering the Buddy ruling, absolute joke.
PeterCtheThird
Guest
Of course GWS will appeal what was clearly a deliberate elbow strike to the throat. Greene is vital to their chances. Any club would do the same, even if their player was caught red-handed on video bring excessively and unwantedly friendly with a young person. There are no standards when it comes to a shot at playing finals.