A busy night at the AFL Tribunal has concluded, which saw Essendon’s Peter Wright and St Kilda's Max King face the music for their respective charges at the panel.
Wright was referred directly to the Tribunal for his heavy hit on Harry Cunningham which left the Sydney Swans player concussed, while the Saints’ spearhead had his case heard later in the evening for rough conduct on Collingwood's Finlay Macrae.
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Max King AFL Tribunal result: St Kilda forward's ban upheld
St Kila’s King has unsuccessfully challenged his one-match ban and will miss his side’s match against Essendon this week.
The key forward collected Macrae in the head with his shoulder on Thursday, with the contact assessed as being careless conduct with medium impact and high contact.
Max King has a received a one-match suspension for this incident involving Finlay Macrae.
— AFL (@AFL) March 22, 2024
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St Kilda argued King was entitled to bump and should have his charge downgraded since he attempted to minimise contact by turning his body.
The Tribunal, however, found that "the decision had already been made to bump", rather than simply contesting the ball.
"While we’re disappointed to not have Max’s sanction downgraded, we respect the decision of the Tribunal and accept its findings," St Kilda's executive general manager of football David Misson said.
"We understand the importance placed on protecting the heads of players.
"We have been without Max before and will now look to the depth in our list to fill his place this week."
The Saints were unable to reduce the impact from ‘medium' to 'low' or the conduct from 'careless' to 'accidental'.
"This is a disappointing situation, but I understand the reasoning behind the decision and will respectfully sit out this week," King said.
Peter Wright AFL Tribunal result: Essendon forward suspended
Wright has been issued with a four-match suspension after the panel deliberated over his case for less than 30 minutes.
Wright’s incident was cited as rough conduct and graded as severe impact with high contact and careless conduct which resulted in a direct trip to the Tribunal.
The Essendon forward was facing a minimum of three weeks on the sidelines if he was found guilty, with the AFL getting their wish of four games.
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Wright will now miss matches against St Kilda, Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs and Adelaide before he will be eligible to return against Collingwood in Round 7.
The bump, which Wright immediately claimed was an accident after he crashed into Cunningham’s face while trying to contest the ball, has sparked plenty of debate within AFL circles.
"I would say to anyone out there if we want this game to look anything like it should look, he’s allowed to attack that footy and he’s allowed to protect himself," North Melbourne legend Wayne Carey said.
"They got to the footy simultaneously and he turned his body to protect himself.
"If he doesn’t turn his body, they’re both hurt. This is what our game is about. It’s just gone too far now.
"I will not watch footy for as long as he gets weeks. It's a waste of time, a waste of his money, and I could not be more disappointed."
'He's looking at least three.'
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) March 23, 2024
David Zita gives the latest on Peter Wright's collision on Harry Cunningham.
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The Wright incident was just one of six charges that emanated from an eventful clash between the Bombers and Swans last Saturday.
Nick Blakey, Justin McInerney and Tom McCartin of Sydney and Jye Caldwell of Essendon were hit with financial penalties for engaging in a melee in the first quarter.
Sam Draper was also charged for rough conduct on a Swans opponent in the second quarter, although he was also able to escape with just a fine.