Former Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe handed one-match ban for striking West Coast’s Jai Culley
Former Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe is set to miss the Dockers’ vital clash against Essendon at the MCG after being one of three players to be offered one-match suspensions out of the western derby.
Fyfe was cited by the match review officer for striking West Coast midfielder Jai Culley and was offered a one-match ban as a result.
The dual Brownlow medallist was also fined for careless conduct with an umpire, which will cost him $3125 which can be lowered to $1875 with an early plea.
Fyfe catches Culley in the face with his right forearm inside their forward 50 which collects the Eagle in the jaw.
The loss of Fyfe opens up the chance for in-form midfielder Neil Erasmus to get a fourth game of the season, having been in dominant form in the WAFL in recent weeks.
West Coast duo Jack Petruccelle and Jack Hutchinson have also been offered one-match bans for separate incidents which will cost them a chance to take on Gold Coast at Optus Stadium on Friday night.
Petruccelle, who was a late inclusion after defender Jeremy McGovern didn’t pass a fitness test, was handed the ban for rough conduct for a bump on Dockers ruckman Sean Darcy in the first term.
Camera IconJack Hutchinson was also handed a one match-ban. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images
The speedster’s action left Darcy dazed but not concussed and was deemed to be careless conduct, medium impact and high contact.
Mid-season draftee Hutchinson was handed a suspension for rough conduct after he collided with Dockers star Andy Brayshaw in the third term.
Hutchinson jumped up to spoil and collected Brayshaw as he came down in a similar incident to the one involving Brayden Maynard and Angus Brayshaw which ended the latter’s careers because of concussion.
The MRO deemed the incident as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact which drew a one-match ban.
It could force the Eagles to make three changes ahead of their clash against the Suns with midfielder Zane Trew in doubt after he was hospitalised with a neck injury.
Camera IconJordan Clark of the Dockers is involved in a melee with Luke Edwards and Jack Petruccelle. Credit: Will Russell/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Trew was caught in the head by teammate Bailey Williams’ hip at the opening bounce and was instantly taken from the ground and subbed out for Culley.
Meanwhile, seven Dockers and seven Eagles have been fined after they engaged in a melee during the third term after a Sam Switkowski goal.
Fremantle’s Sam Sturt, Brayshaw, Luke Ryan, Tom Emmett, Michael Frederick, Corey Wagner and Josh Treacy as well as West Coast’s Liam Ryan, Jayden Hunt, Reuben Ginbey, Oscar Allen, Bailey Williams, Ryan Maric and Harry Edwards were all handed sanctions which can be downgraded with an early plea.
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