TOOTH AND NAIL
Bomber faces big ban over alleged Dog bite
ESSENDON defender Conor McKenna is facing an extended stint on the sidelines for allegedly biting Western Bulldogs’ forward Tory Dickson on Sunday.
The Irishman will tonight face the tribunal panel to defend himself against a serious misconduct charge.
A furious Dickson met with Dogs’ medical staff in the change rooms after Sunday’s 21-point win and was left with a red and bloodied neck.
McKenna was not wearing a mouth guard and could face up to a month-long suspension.
The medical report is likely to be used tonight to back claims Dickson was hurt in the skirmish when the pair tangled over the boundary line on the wing at Etihad Stadium.
Video footage shows the Bomber’s face coming in close contact with Dickson’s throat area.
Dickson immediately remonstrated with the speedster and appeared to complain to officials as he ran to the bench.
Match review officer Michael Christian said the evidence submitted by both clubs warranted a tribunal hearing.
“I viewed all available video footage, I viewed a medical report, and our investigator also received statements from both players,” Christian said.
“I believed there was enough evidence to sustain a charge of serious misconduct.”
Christian would not go into specifics of the medical report which was compiled after Sunday’s match.
WEST Coast midfielder Chris Masten was the last player to be suspended for biting. He was banned for two matches for biting Nick Suban, then at Fremantle, in 2015.
But the Western Bulldogs are likely to lose another defender from the club’s depleted back line for Saturday’s clash with Sydney.
Zaine Cordy was yesterday suspended for one match for striking Bomber Cale Hooker in an off-the-ball incident.
Christian said Hooker was trying to dodge Cordy when the Dog made high contact with his elbow.
Hooker immediately remonstrated with Cordy on the wing.
Richmond superstar Alex Rance can accept a $2000 fine for striking Hawthorn small forward Luke Breust in a spoiling effort.
“Yes [Rance] was late with his attempted spoil, but he wasn’t far away from the ball,” Christian said.
“At the end of it, to say he has intended to commit a reportable offence is stretching it.”