Pickett, Franklin learn fates for high bumps as MRO verdict arrives

Melbourne livewire Kysaiah Pickett has been offered a two-match suspension for his crude bump on Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith.

Meanwhile, Sydney star Lance Franklin has been hit with a one-week ban for a high hit on Gold Coast defender Sam Collins.

Pickett leaped into the air and made high contact to Smith after he had disposed of the ball, with former great Kane Cornes later describing the incident as ‘one of the most dangerous things I’ve seen on a footy field’.

The bump was graded as careless conduct, high impact and high contact, triggering a two-match suspension that will see him miss blockbusters against Brisbane and Sydney should he accept the ban.

Speaking after the Demons’ 50-point win, when asked if he would speak to Pickett about tempering his approach to contests, coach Simon Goodwin was adamantly against his star goalsneak changing his ways.

“You could see straight after he sort of checked and stopped straight away,” Goodwin said.

“To Bailey Smith’s credit, he got up and gave Kos a tap as well, but I won’t be talking to him about that.

“He plays the game on the edge, on the line and he commits his body to tackling … he’s a high-quality pressure forward.”

Franklin’s hit on Collins was deemed careless conduct, medium impact and high contact for a week on the sidelines, meaning he will be absent from the Swans’ clash with former club Hawthorn.

Collins had to leave the field after the hit, but was cleared of concussion.

It is a bitter aftertaste for the Swans after they easily beat the Suns away by 49 points.

Franklin was outstanding with two goals early, but unless they successfully take the case to the tribunal he will miss next Sunday’s home game against Hawthorn.

Pickett’s ban in particular is set to be controversial, with Cornes describing the hit as a ‘three or four-week incident’ on AFL Media’s The Round So Far.

West Coast defender Tom Barrass (striking) and Port Adelaide’s Darcy Byrne-Jones (tripping) were also fined in the first match review penalties of the season.

(with AAP)