Another blow for Pies as Banks-Smith cops three-match suspension

ALREADY decimated by injury, Glenorchy’s midfield stocks have taken another blow with Ryan Banks-Smith set for a stint on the sidelines through suspension. The Pies, who have started the TSL season 0-2 ahead of this weekend’s clash with Clarence, lost 2019 best and fairest Ben Kamaric (hamstring) and John Geard (knee) in the loss to Lauderdale last Saturday. Compounding the defeat is the unavailability of BanksSmith for the next three matches after he was suspended by the Match Review Tribunal. Banks-Smith, tipped to elevate his game to another level in 2020, was rubbed out for a hit during the last quarter on Bomber Mitch Anderton which left his former state under-18 teammate dazed. The Pie was offered a base sanction of four matches, reduced to three matches with an early guilty plea which was accepted. Glenorchy will now be sweating on star Jaye Bowden’s hamstring to help fill the void, with the club great missing the first two matches. Banks-Smith was cleared of another charge of making contact to the stomach of Phil Bellchambers. Competition leading goalkicker Toutai Havea is free for the Bombers’ clash with North Hobart after accepting a reprimand for striking. Launceston’s Jobi Harper has also had a one match ban for making careless contact with an umpire reduced to a low-level reprimand after accepting an early guilty plea. In the TSLW, Kartley Broad (North Launceston) was offered a two-match ban, reduced to one with an early plea, for making high contact against Launceston’s Daria Bannister.