Greater Western Sydney’s Callum Brown has been whacked with a three-match suspension for an ugly clash with Sydney Swans defender Tom McCartin in Saturday’s derby defeat at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Midway through the second quarter, Brown forcibly bumped McCartin in the head with his right shoulder.
The former Derry underage footballer has a previously clean record but that wasn’t enough to save him from a lengthy suspension.
GWS Executive General Manager of Football, Jason McCartney defended the Limavady man’s integrity after the penalty was handed down by the AFL, whose intention was to send a clear message that bumps to the head will not be tolerated.
McCartin, who has a history of concussions in the manner of his retired brother Paddy, was left flat on the ground with a cut under his left eye. He was then substituted out after failing a Head Injury Assessment (HIA).
“It was clearly not a malicious act by Callum, who is an incredibly fair player on the field,” McCartney said.
“He got the timing wrong in this scenario and we fully understand the need to protect the head and avoid these types of incidents wherever possible.”
“Our thoughts are with Tom following his concussion diagnosis.”
Rubbing salt into the GWS wound, they lost 98-69 to their fierce rivals and drop to third on the season ladder with a 6-2 record for the season. Brown collected 7 disposals (3 kicks & 4 handballs), and also booted two goals.
On Sunday Conor McKenna was named as one of Brisbane’s best players in their stunning 79-45 defeat of the Gold Coast Suns in the Queensland Derby (QClash) at the Gabba.
The Tyone Sam Maguire winner came off the interchange bench to notch 25 disposals (23 kicks & 2 handballs), 9 marks, and also gained 399 metres in his best performance of the season.
The Lions, who lost four players on the night and possibly two for the long-term, are now up 13th on the season ladder with a 3-5 record for the season.
On Saturday, second-place Geelong’s winning run came to an abrupt halt when they lost 74-66 to Melbourne at the MCG. Portlaoise veteran Zach Tuohy collected 14 disposals (13 kicks & 1 handball), 2 marks, and also kicked two behinds.
On Thursday, Cork’s Mark Keane was named as one of the Adelaide Crows best players in their 78-48 thrashing of Port Adelaide in the South Australian Showdown at the Adelaide Oval.
The Cork dual star collected 17 disposals (11 kicks & 6 handballs), 4 marks, and gained 223 metres for the Crows, who are up to twelfth on the season ladder.
On Sunday, Meath midfielder Conor Nash was named as one of second-bottom Hawthorn’s best players in their thrilling 91-98 win over the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.
On Saturday, the only winless side in the AFL, North Melbourne, were hammered 103-65 by Saint Kilda at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.
Tyrone-born Aidan Corr finished the four quarters with 16 disposals (9 kicks & 7 handballs), 4 marks, and 2 tackles.