Aside from this game, the other main AFL news of the day has centred on North Melbourne, and coach Alastair Clarkson, who has been sanctioned by the AFL for an incident in last week’s practice match against St Kilda.
Clrakson allegedly used a homophobic slur during an expletive-laden exchange with St Kilda players Jimmy Webster and Dougal Howard at the quarter-time break.
It followed Webster’s high, late bump on Jy Simpkin, which left the Kangaroos co-captain in concussion protocols and led to Webster being suspended for seven matches.
Clarkson — who apologised earlier this week — has been fined $20,000 and given a two-match suspended sentence. He will be available to coach round one, but if he makes a further breach of AFL rules before the end of the 2025 season, the ban will come into affect.
You can read more about Clarkson’s AFL sanction and his reaction below.
