Mix-up costs Bulldog an extra week’s ban
JACK Redpath has been sensationally ruled out of an AFL return this week after having his suspension extended for an extra match following revelations the Western Bulldogs big man played in a state league practice match last week.
Earlier this week Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge had flagged Redpath as a possible inclusion for the club’s important clash with West Coast at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
But the AFL ruled him ineligible to play this week after confirming he took part in a match last week when he was not sanctioned to play.
The embarrassing mix-up means the Bulldogs — reeling after a series of injuries to key players, a barren forward line and an 82-point Round 1 loss to Greater Western Sydney — will now have to take on the Eagles without him.
It is another blow for Redpath, who missed the first round after challenging a twoweek suspension late last year and costing himself an extra third week on the sidelines.
Now, this latest issue means his initial ban of two weeks has effectively turned into four — off the back of challenging. GWS have a shocking record at footy’s mecca, where they are 1-11. They are also a staggering -399 points in points differential in their 12 games there.
“Our MCG record has been interesting over the last couple of years,” Cameron said.
“We only play there once or twice a year it’s not as if we get a great gauge by playing there every second or third week.
“We’ve had some close games there but haven’t got over the line. Whether it’s the MCG or the new ground in Perth or Adelaide Oval there will be posts at either end and opposition which are hungry to bounce back.”
Jacob Hopper played in a reserves practice match at the weekend and came through unscathed but looks more likely to play another match at that level before a senior recall.
Under the new AFL MRP rules this year, he would have been able to challenge and not risk an extra week’s ban.
COLLINGWOOD player Brayden Sier has fallen foul of the AFL’s strict betting rules.
Sier, who’s yet to make his senior debut, was fined $5000 for betting on the league.
But given the small amounts he wagered and his remorse, the fined was suspended for two seasons.
“Sier had placed a number of bets totalling less than $50 combined on AFL matches (and) events during the 2017 season,” the AFL said in a statement yesterday.
“None of the bets involved were placed on any match (or) event involving Collingwood.
“The player’s remorse and full co-operation during the investigation had been taken into account, along with the size of the wagers, and his sanction had therefore been suspended for a two-year period.” Sier must also go through another education course on the AFL’s anti-betting regulations.
The Magpies recruited the 20-year-old midfielder with their first pick at No.32 in the 2015 national draft. midfielder would come in for close attention today, most probably from North tagger Ben Jacobs.
Richardson also anticipated that it would take a team effort from his key defenders Jake Carlisle and Nathan Brown to nullify star Kangaroos forward Ben Brown.
“They’re quality players, they’ll have to be at their best,” Richardson said of his backmen.
“The most important thing for us is that we get pressure on the footy so that it comes in (to North’s forward line) ugly and then we can look to help each other.”
Both sides head into the clash off a six-day break, but North have had to fly to Cairns and back on top of playing on a waterlogged surface.
Richardson doesn’t believe it gives his side an advantage even though their first game was played in pristine conditions at Etihad Stadium and they didn’t need to travel.
“The way that clubs, sports science (and) coaches can work with players to physically and emotionally get them in a really good space in a pretty short period of time these days is very consistent,” he said.
Richardson said it was a “great honour” for his team to be involved in the Good Friday match and help raise even more awareness around the annual Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal.
He expected to head into the clash with an unchanged line-up.