New Blue Zac Williams faces a nervy wait for a decision from the MRO after a dangerous bump on St Kilda's Hunter Clark within the first 10 seconds of the Blues' AAMI Community Series loss to the Saints on Thursday night.
After Clark released a kick into the Saints' forward 50, Williams caught him high which resulted in a downfield free kick.
Clark was a bit initially dazed from the hit but ultimately played out the game, which could play in Williams' favour of avoiding a suspension.
Will Carlton's new recruit Zac Williams face scrutiny for this incident? #AAMISeries pic.twitter.com/ef4TrTMbL2
— AFL (@AFL) March 4, 2021
If the hit is considered low-impact by MRO Michael Christian, Williams will only be looking at a fine with no suspension.
But if the hit is deemed medium to high impact, a stint on the sidelines could await for the star recruit.
Speaking onย Fox Footy post-game, Garry Lyon said the hit probably deserves a week on the sidelines.
โConversations around concussion right now, that is the last thing you want to be doing now,โ Lyon said.
โIf he got a week, that wouldnโt worry me one bit โฆ You leave the ground and make head-high contact, thatโs a dangerous act.
โItโs jumping off the ground and making contact to the head, so it probably warrants a week.
โTake a hard stand, make a point early in the piece.โ
.@tommorris32 and the @FOXFOOTY team break down the Zac Williams bump on Hunter Clark. ๐ pic.twitter.com/QwO84LE4bG
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) March 4, 2021
Also speaking on Fox Footy post-game, Jonathan Brown added that he feels the decision is a 50-50 one and will depend on how the AFL sees it, especially considering the aftermath of the hit.
โItโs dumb, very dangerous,โ Brown said.
โAnytime you leave the ground, you open yourself up to the MRO and big suspensions.
โThereโs enough in the aftermath of that incident that they could consider a week there. They wouldnโt be happy with that stumbling effect, the look of the game.
โI reckon itโs 50-50. They could see an opportunity to go, โrighto, weโre going to warn all the competitionโ.โ
Despite being in the spotlight for the hit, Williams had an impressive first hit out with the Blues, racking up 17 disposals and also hitting the scoreboard, kicking 2 goals.