AFL Tribunal Round 2 results: Peter Wright suspension decided at hearing

AFL Tribunal Round 2 results: Peter Wright suspension decided at hearing

A busy night has kicked off at the AFL Tribunal with Essendon’s Peter Wright and St Kilda’s Max King facing 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 concussed, while the Saints’ spearhead will have his case heard later in the evening for rough conduct on Collingwood’s Finlay Macrae.

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 under 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.”

The Wright incident was just one of six charges which 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.

Max King AFL Tribunal result: St Kilda forward challenges one-match ban

St Kila’s King elected to challenge his one-match ban which would rub him out of his side’s match against Essendon this week.

King collected Macrae in the head with his shoulder with the contact assessed as being careless conduct with medium impact and high contact.