Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield has been suspended for a dangerous tackle in a decision that has shocked the AFL world.
Dangerfield has been hit with a one-match ban for his tackle on Sam Walsh in the opening minute of Friday night’s loss to Carlton.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Dangerfield in hot water for dangerous tackle.
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The Cats skipper pinned both of Walsh’s arms and momentum carried the Blue’s head into the ground.
Walsh was able to take his kick and wasn’t assessed for a head knock, but the match review officer assessed the incident as medium impact, high contact and careless.
Geelong have until Monday to contest the charge, but are expected to take it to the tribunal in a bid to free their captain for next week’s clash against Essendon.
The incident immediately divided the AFL with many pundits believing Dangerfield had no case to answer.
Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley said Dangerfield actually did his best to limit any potential damage to Butters.
“Watch Dangerfield and tell me what more could he do. Attempts to put the brakes on the momentum of both, sits upright and has a leg under Walsh as they both, inexorably, go to ground. Walsh’s head makes glancing contact to the ground with no effect. Is that not duty of care?” He tweeted.
Four-time premiership Hawk and Channel 7 commentator Luke Hodge agreed.
“If he gets suspended for that I’ll be shocked … I don’t think it was a dangerous act by Dangerfield,” Hodge said on SEN before the AFL verdict came in.
Coach Chris Scott wasn’t expecting a ban when speaking after the match.
“Pat didn’t sling him, he had hold of an arm and with that sort of momentum, you’re both going into the ground,” Scott said.
It was Dangerfield’s first game since Geelong beat Carlton by 13 points in round eight, with the midfielder sidelined by another hamstring problem.
Geelong have lost six of their last seven games for an 8-6 record
“We were just outplayed … we’ve understood for a little bit that we have a few holes and we have a few problems,” Scott said.
“They did everything well. That’s as good as I’ve seen a team play against us for a long time.
“I still think our best is pretty good. We just have some holes, where we feel as if we need to be a bit creative at the moment in how we go after filling those holes.
“We had a poor night against a good team, but we’re still optimistic about what we can do.”
Scott also praised the game of defender Tom Stewart, saying he was one of the Cats’ better players.
Stewart had to cope with a defensive forward tag from Alex Cincotta, who kicked two goals.
“The opposition will have to worry about Tom, every game he plays,” Scott said of the Geelong star.
– With AAP