AFL News: Buckley says five-game ban on the cards for De Goey at tribunal, Bulldogs hit by string of injuries

Former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley predicts Magpies star Jordan De Goey will be suspended for up to five matches for his high bump on West Coast youngster Elijah Hewett.

But Essendon coach Brad Scott, previously the AFL’s general manager of football, insists the tribunal does not need to make a big statement with De Goey’s rough conduct case.

De Goey will front the tribunal on Tuesday night, sent there directly over an incident the match review officer graded careless conduct, high contact and severe impact.

The explosive midfielder faces certain suspension, ruling him out of the Magpies’ blockbuster King’s Birthday clash with Melbourne and Brownlow Medal contention. Only the length of the ban remains to be seen.

“In my view, I don’t think the tribunal need to make a statement,” Scott told Fox Footy on Monday night. “Everyone in the football community understands that you can’t do that anymore.

“I think we’re already past that point – it’s not about making a statement. It’s just about being consistent with the football community’s views on that.”

It is unclear whether De Goey will challenge the match review officer’s grading or throw himself at the mercy of the tribunal.

Buckley expects De Goey to be suspended for three or four matches but suggested a five-match ban is not out of the question. It would be the biggest penalty handed down this season after Richmond’s Nathan Broad copped a four-match suspension for a dangerous tackle.

“It’s a bad action,” Buckley told Fox Footy on Monday night when asked about De Goey’s bump. “It’s an action that’s caused harm and we know how much we’re protecting the head at the moment.”

Geelong’s Tom Stewart was banned for four matches over his brutal hit on Tiger Dion Prestia last season, while Adelaide’s Shane McAdam (three matches) and Melbourne’s Kysaiah Pickett (two) copped less severe penalties over high bumps this year.

West Coast forward Hewett took no further part in Saturday’s match after the bump from De Goey and will miss at least one week under concussion protocols.

Eagles defender Liam Duggan will also appear at the tribunal to challenge his one-match ban for rough conduct.

Duggan was cited over a dangerous tackle on Collingwood’s Taylor Adams.

Injuries ravage Bulldogs

Promising Western Bulldogs father-son recruit Sam Darcy has suffered another setback just one game into his comeback in the VFL.

Darcy will require surgery after fracturing his jaw during Footscray’s win over Geelong last Saturday.

It was the towering key position player’s first match in five weeks after he was sidelined due to a small hole in his lung.

Darcy played the first two games of the season in the AFL, following four appearances in 2022 during his debut campaign, but dropped back to reserves level.

The Bulldogs expect Darcy to be available in three weeks, after their mid-season bye in round 15.

Injuries are starting to pile up at the Whitten Oval, with dashing defender Ed Richards to miss up to six weeks after hurting his hamstring in the loss against the Cats.

Richards has starred across half-back this season and joins fellow speedster Jason Johannisen on the sidelines.

Johannisen is in the early stages of his recovery from a high-grade hamstring strain that could keep him out of action for up to 10 weeks.

Western Bulldogs mid-season recruit Caleb Poulter is in the mix to make his club debut after Richards was ruled out.

Richards has starred across half-back this season and joins fellow dashing defender Jason Johannisen on the sidelines.

The injuries have opened the door for former Collingwood player Poulter, who joined the Bulldogs’ VFL side this year and was given an AFL career lifeline at the mid-season draft.

Laitham Vandermeer and Hayden Crozier are also in the mix to replace Richards.

Bulldogs premiership hero Toby McLean is set for a stint on the sidelines after suffering some acute lower back pain after he was tackled in the VFL over the weekend.

“He has an area of bone overload in his back that will need some time to settle,” Bell said.

“Once his acute pain improves, we will confirm his return-to-play plan, but expect him to miss some footy over the next month.”

Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli (knee) and fellow midfielder Adam Treloar (calf) have been given the all-clear to play against Port Adelaide on Friday night despite injury concerns in the Geelong clash.

The Power expect to regain experienced pair Travis Boak (ribs) and Charlie Dixon (quadriceps) from injuries, while captain Tom Jonas could return after a week in the reserves.