Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins has become the first casualty of the AFL Match Review Panel’s jumper punch crackdown, after being offered a one-week suspension for striking Adelaide’s Matt Crouch at Skilled Stadium on Friday night.
The MRP’s decision graded Hawkins’ hit as intentional rather than reckless, a clear change in adjudication compared to previous jumper punch incidents.
If the Cats accept the ban, the 28 year-old will not be available for the Cats’ crucial clash with West Coast in Round 13.
The only other player sanctioned from Round 11 was former Hawthorn skipper Luke Hodge, who was fined for rough conduct against Port Adelaide’s Aaron Young.
Here is the full MRP statement from AFL.com.au:
Luke Hodge, Hawthorn, has been charged with engaging in rough conduct against Aaron Young, Port Adelaide, during the fourth quarter of the Round 11 match between Hawthorn and Port Adelaide, played at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday June 1, 2017.
In summary, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea.
Based on the available video evidence and a medical report from the Port Adelaide Football Club, the incident was assessed as careless conduct with low impact to the body. The incident was classified as a $1500 sanction. The player has no applicable record which impacts the penalty. An early plea enables the player to accept a $1000 sanction.
Tom Hawkins, Geelong, has been charged with striking Matt Crouch, Adelaide Crows, during the second quarter of the Round 11 match between the Geelong Cats and the Adelaide Crows, played at Simonds Stadium on Friday June 2, 2017.
In summary, he can accept a one-match sanction with an early plea.
Based on the available video evidence and a medical report from the Adelaide Crows Football Club, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct with low impact to the head. The incident was classified as a two-match sanction. The player has no applicable record which impacts the penalty. An early plea enables the player to accept a one-match sanction.
Other incidents assessed
There were no other incidents that required a detailed assessment.
