Brisbane star Charlie Cameron has been rubbed out for three matches and GWS forward Toby Bedford has copped the same ban as the issue of dangerous tackles hit the headlines yet again.
AFL Match Review
Charlie Cameron (Brisbane) — three-match ban for rough conductAlex Davies (Gold Coast) — three-match ban for forceful front-on contactToby Bedford (GWS) — three-match ban for rough conductMalcolm Rosas Jnr (Gold Coast) — one-match ban for strikingZane Trew (West Coast) — $3,750 fine for rough conductDayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions) — $1,875 fine for engaging in a meleeHarley Reid (West Coast) — $1,875 fine for engaging in a melee
On a big day at the AFL Match Review, Gold Coast midfielder Alex Davies also received a three-match ban for crunching into an opponent who was in a vulnerable position, while his teammate Malcolm Rosas was rubbed out for one match.
Cameron’s ban stemmed from an incident in which he ran in to tackle Liam Duggan and drove the Eagles skipper backwards.
Duggan hit the back of his head on the turf as the pair crashed to the ground, with the West Coast defender subbed out of the game with concussion.
The incident was assessed as careless conduct, severe impact and high contact, drawing a three-match ban.
Earlier this year, Cameron overturned a one-match ban at the AFL Tribunal for a dumping tackle on Melbourne’s Jake Lever due to what has since been dubbed the “good guy” defence.
The Lions have until Tuesday morning to decide whether to appeal Cameron’s latest ban at the AFL Tribunal.
GWS have already announced they are appealing Bedford’s suspension.
Bedford pinned Tim Taranto’s arms in a fourth-quarter tackle and the Richmond midfielder’s head hit the ground as the pair fell forward.
Taranto appeared dazed when he got up, with Bedford immediately checking on his opponent’s welfare.
The 26-year-old Tiger left the field and did not return after failing a concussion test.
The rough-conduct charge was assessed the same as Cameron’s.
“I saw it live, but it didn’t feel like he drived (sic) him (into the ground), slung him or anything like that,” GWS coach Adam Kingsley said after the match.
Gold Coast’s Davies was in hot water after bumping Lachie Jones in the head while the Port player was bent over the ball.
The incident was classified as careless conduct, severe impact and high contact.
Rosas copped a one-match ban for striking Logan Evans with an off-the-ball elbow, with the hit graded as intentional conduct, low impact and high contact.
After Brisbane’s win over West Coast, Lions coach Chris Fagan questioned the notion that players generally receive a suspension if their opponents end up concussed.
“It would be sad if it comes to that … accidents happen,” Fagan said.
If Cameron doesn’t successfully overturn or downgrade the ban, he will miss crunch matches against Sydney, Gold Coast and St Kilda.
AAP
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