Tom McCartin of the Sydney Swans is appealing against a suspension that could potentially see him miss an elimination final. The Western Bulldogs are also facing a similar situation as they try to overturn a ban for Taylor Duryea. These developments are currently taking place at the AFL Tribunal.
McCartin received a two-match suspension for rough conduct deemed to have a high impact and high contact on Shane McAdam. McAdam suffered a depressed cheekbone fracture and will require surgery. However, the Swans are planning to argue that McCartin did not intentionally engage in rough conduct.
Sydney coach John Longmire expressed the team’s decision to challenge the suspension, emphasizing that they believe it was an accidental football incident. He explained that McCartin did not elect to bump and the ball’s deviation influenced his actions. According to Longmire, the way the ball bounced sideways and backwards limited McCartin’s choices.
Given the severity of McAdam’s injury, it would be challenging for Sydney to downgrade the impact of the incident. Therefore, the club’s best hope is to have the charge completely dismissed by arguing that McCartin did not commit rough conduct.
The Swans could present the case that McAdam’s decision to tap the ball instead of taking possession played a role in McCartin’s choice not to tackle and opt for an alternate action.
Following McCartin’s hearing, attention will turn to Taylor Duryea of the Western Bulldogs, who is also attempting to overturn a rough conduct ban for a bump on Jamie Cripps. The Bulldogs are set to face Geelong on Saturday night, and a victory is crucial to their chances of making it to the finals.
Both the Swans and the Bulldogs are eagerly waiting for the outcomes of these tribunal cases, as they could have a significant impact on their respective teams’ chances in the finals.
Fans and analysts will closely follow these hearings, as they will determine the availability of key players and potentially shape the outcomes of important matches. The decisions made by the AFL Tribunal will undoubtedly generate discussions and debates, highlighting the importance of fair and consistent rulings in the league.
As the hearing proceeds, the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs will hope for a favorable outcome that allows their players to take the field in these crucial final matches. The teams are prepared to present their arguments and fight for a fair resolution that considers all relevant factors.
In the meantime, football enthusiasts eagerly await the decisions and anticipate exciting encounters on the field, where the final spots in the AFL finals will be determined.
