STRIKING GROUNDS BIG EAGLE
WEST Coast’s AFL hub experience has gone from bad to worse with Jeremy McGovern handed a one-match ban for striking Gold Coast’s Alex Sexton.
The Eagles suffered a shock 44-point loss to the Suns at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night and could be without their star defender for their Round 3 clash with the Brisbane Lions.
McGovern can accept a one-game ban for the incident graded as intentional conduct, low impact and high contact.
He was also offered a $1000 fine for rough conduct on Sexton when he pushed his opponent into the boundary fence. Sexton drew McGovern’s ire when he bumped him high, an incident that saw the Suns player fined $1000.
Hawthorn veteran Shaun Burgoyne has avoided a suspension for a sling tackle that dazed Geelong champion Patrick Dangerfield in Friday night’s clash.
Burgoyne stunned the 2016 Brownlow medallist with a fierce tackle in the third quarter of the Hawks’ 61-point loss at GMHBA Stadium.
However, he is free to play against Richmond at the MCG on Thursday after match review officer Michael Christian slapped him with a fine for rough conduct.
The incident was assessed as careless conduct, low impact and high contact, with Burgoyne able to accept a $1000 fine with an early plea.
Chad Wingard gave away a free kick when he collected Cat Tom Atkins with a wayward boot to the face, but was not sanctioned by the MRO.
Hawks Sam Frost and Liam Shiels can pay $1000 fines with early pleas after being charged with striking, while Geelong’s Joel Selwood can pay a $500 fine for striking Shiels.