West Coast's prized prodigy Harley Reid has copped a two-match suspension for a dangerous tackle on fellow young star Darcy Wilson.
The incident occurred during the third term of Saturday's game against St Kilda, when Reid took hold Wilson near the boundary line, swinging his former junior teammate over in a slinging action that has been sanctioned by the MRO.
Darcy Wilson received a free kick following this Harley Reid tackle.#AFLEaglesSaints pic.twitter.com/Rhs2htAPrs
— AFL (@AFL) June 1, 2024
Wilson came from the field shortly after the tackle and received medical treatment. He was able to continue in the match however, assisting Reid's case in the assessment of the incident.
Nonetheless, it was graded as a careless tackle with high impact and high contact, resulting in the two-week sanction.
While the incident seems like a clear-cut case to some, the divisive reaction by some media figures and West Coast coach Adam Simpson suggests a challenge may be put forth, with the hope of downgrading the tackle to medium or low impact and for a one-week sanction or a fine.
The club will decide whether to challenge early in the week.
It wasn't the only sanction Reid received in the match, careless contact with an umpire during the second quarter also cost him $3125 with a $1875 early plea.
Hawthorn running defender Changkuoth Jiath has also learned his fate for a headbutt during the opening half of the Hawk's 27-point defeat of Adelaide.
Jiath was one of several players involved in a second quarter scuffle after teammate Jack Ginnivan won a free kick and shot on goal, which was then reversed by the headbutt.
this is the high contact that provoked Jiath's "headbutt" #AFLHawksCrows https://t.co/7yZLDqUFEB pic.twitter.com/189nZMA2eq
— outbreezy (@outbreezyWC) June 1, 2024
The act on Crow Mitch Hinge has earned Jiath a $1875 fine, graded as careless conduct, low impact and high contact.
Hawthorn will likely cop the early plea of $1250 rather than challenge the verdict.
Five other fines were handed down in Saturday's action, two Saints - Jack Sinclair and Paddy Dow - were also handed $1875 punishments for contact with an umpire.
Rowan Marshall was sanctioned for tripping Eagle Liam Duggan, he'll be forced to pay a $2500 early plea for intentional conduct with low impact.
Eagle Harry Edwards was fined the same amount for his careless, low impact, high conduct on Max King in the same match.
Finally, Tiger Rhyan Mansell will escape his strike on Cat Jake Kolodjashnij with a careless, low impact, high contact verdict, resulting in another $2500 early plea.