Port Adelaide’s Sam Powell-Pepper has become the first victim of the AFL’s tougher stance on high bumps, after being handed a four-match suspension for his hit on Adelaide’s Mark Keane in an AFL practice match.
Powell-Pepper pleaded guilty to a rough conduct charge after collecting the Crows defender high during the first term of Port Adelaide’s pre-season match against the Crows last Friday.
The forward hit the defender as he was being spun around in a tackle by teammate Willie Rioli.
“My sole intention was to tackle and come over and help Willie Rioli,” Powell-Pepper said during the tribunal hearing.
Keane took no further part in the match and has since entered the AFL’s concussion protocols.
He’ll be unavailable for a minimum of 12 days, missing Adelaide’s pre-season clash against West Coast this Saturday.
The Match Review Officer graded the incident as careless, high and of severe impact, sending Powell-Pepper directly to the tribunal.
Port Adelaide’s lawyer, Ben Krupka, argued for the tribunal to hand Powell-Pepper a three-game suspension.
But, the league argued for a four-match suspension, thanks to a new clause in the tribunal guidelines for 2024 which takes into account an increased focus on avoidable head-high hits.
After deliberating for over 90 minutes, the tribunal agreed to hand Powell-Pepper a four-match suspension.
Before the decision was made, Mr Krupka warned the tribunal not to make a scapegoat of Powell-Pepper.
“The appropriate penalty is three games, and in our submission anything further would be manifestly excessive,” Mr Krupka said.
“This case will then serve as the base point for the others that come before you throughout the course of the year.”
The AFL’s representative, Lisa Hannon, disagreed, and said it was a predictable outcome.
“The responsibility lies with the player to avoid contact with the head,” Ms Hannon said.
“In 2024 it is something deserving of a four-match suspension.”
The AFL will now decide if the Power’s Community Series clash against Fremantle this Friday will count as part of Powell-Pepper’s suspension.
Suspension follows Brayshaw retirement
The suspension follows the retirement of Angus Brayshaw on medical advice, after his concussion in last year’s qualifying final against Collingwood.
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The 28-year-old was trying to kick downfield against the Magpies when Brayden Maynard leaped in the air to spoil and collided with the Demons player, who was knocked out and taken off the ground on a stretcher.
“I am devastated that I can no longer play the game that I love, but I respect the verdict of the medical professionals, and the importance of putting my health before my career,” Brayshaw said in the club statement.
“Concussion is a massive issue facing our game. I hope from this, a terrible result for me personally, can come some positive outcomes for the future of player safety.”
Collingwood’s Maynard was sent directly to the AFL tribunal over the hit, but was cleared of rough conduct and went on to play in Collingwood’s grand final win.
Source: AFL NEWS ABC
