Richmond captain Toby Nankervis has copped a three-match ban after being sent directly to the Tribunal by the AFL Match Review following his hit on Sydney's Jake Lloyd.
With the AFL’s recent crackdown on concussion-causing actions, the Tigers ruckman was handed a lengthy suspension after pleading guilty during the opening of proceedings.
Toby Nankervis suspended at Tribunal for Jake Lloyd bump
Nankervis' offence was graded by the AFL Match Review as a rough conduct involving careless conduct, severe impact and high contact, with his case being sent directly to the Tribunal for a hearing.
Nankervis accepted "full responsibility" for the incident, with the hearing only determining how long his suspension would be for.
The AFL pushed for a four-match sanction while Richmond argued that a three-game ban would be more appropriate.
The panel took under an hour to decide on the three-match suspension, citing how Nankervis' clear signs of remorse after the incident meant he wouldn't be handed a more severe ban.
"We accept Nankervis regrets his careless conduct and the injury he has caused a fellow player," Tribunal chair Renee Enbom said.
"If not for his conduct after the game and his evidence before the Tribunal in which he expressed genuine remorse, the sanction would’ve been higher.
"There was considerable force in Nankervis’ bump. The bump was late. Whether or not some form of contact was inevitable, the fact is Nankervis chose to bump in the way he did and clearly breached his duty of care in doing so."
The incident occurred early in the second quarter during Richmond's win over the Swans last Thursday night.
Nankervis elected to bump Lloyd as he made a handpass to teammate Luke Parker. The hit came late and struck the Sydney player at head height.
Lloyd spent a few moments on the ground, before being taken off-field and ruled out of the game with concussion.
Toby Nankervis has been reported following this incident with Jake Lloyd.#AFLTigersSwans pic.twitter.com/KtLx5yTZGe
— AFL (@AFL) July 6, 2023
Swans medical substitute Aaron Francis replaced Lloyd for the remainder of the game.
MORE: AFL Team Lists Round 17: Chopping Block - Demons dilemma, Bombers to unleash debutant
How long should Toby Nankervis be suspended for?
The Richmond captain was expected to miss three-to-four weeks after Thursday night’s incident.
Nankervis’ conduct appeared to be intentional with the ruckman lining Lloyd up before he disposed of the ball, and the contact nearing high or severe impact.
Contact was also clearly made to the head of Lloyd, which resulted in a concussion.
Entering into the hearing, the debate was around whether Nankervis should receive either three or four(+) weeks.
Collingwood's Jordan De Goey made similar high contact with a bump on West Coast's Elijah Hewett, which saw him also cop a three-week suspension earlier in the season.
Who will replace Toby Nankervis for Richmond?
Unfortunately for Richmond, Nankervis is not easily replaced. The 199cm ruck was instrumental in the Tigers’ victory over Sydney.
The 28-year-old won 33 hitouts, kicked a goal, and beat his opponent Tom Hickey around the ground with 19 disposals.
Richmond is likely to recall Ivan Soldo for his second AFL appearance of the season, having played a strong (33 hitout) game in the VFL on Thursday.
Soldo has been a reliable backup for Nankervis in recent years, with the 27-year-old playing in 13 fixtures last season.
Youngster Samson Ryan is another option for Richmond but may struggle in a full-time ruck role.
Ryan has been a mainstay for the Tigers this year, missing only two AFL games for the season before being omitted this week.
MORE: AFL Injury List 2023
Will Richmond make the finals?
Richmond kept its finals hopes alive in a thrilling 13-point win over Sydney on Thursday. It was the side’s eighth win of the season and leaves them just one victory outside the top eight.
Just two wins separate fourth-placed Melbourne from 12th-placed Gold Coast, in what is one of the biggest log jams the AFL world has seen.
The Tigers remain in the ever-competitive hunt for finals football and will have their work cut out for them without star ruckman Nankervis.
After relatively easy fixtures against West Coast and Hawthorn, the surging side will need to find wins against Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, St Kilda, and Port Adelaide to stake its finals claim.
Nick Haynes hit with a one-week ban
GWS defender Nick Haynes has accepted a one-week suspension for a dangerous tackle on Hawthorn's Josh Ward.
The AFL Match Review Officer graded the hit as careless conduct, with medium impact and head-high contact.
Haynes, a key figure in the Giants' defence, will miss an important clash with the Crows at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Nick Haynes can accept a one-match suspension for rough conduct following this tackle on Josh Ward.
— AFL (@AFL) July 9, 2023
Full Saturday MRO findings: https://t.co/zy3TnGsv0Y pic.twitter.com/FXKi0DTryy
Jacob Hopper, James Rowbottom hit with umpire contact fine
Richmond midfielder Jacob Hopper and Sydney counterpart James Rowbottom were both hit with $1,000 fines for making careless contact with an umpire.
The incident occurred in the second quarter of Thursday night's match.
Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Mitchell fined for contact with umpires
Western Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli and Collingwood midfielder Tom Mitchell were both cited for careless contact with an umpire during the fourth quarter of the Pies' thrilling win on Friday.
It is Mitchell's second offence, so he has been hit with a $1,500 fine with an early plea, while Bontempelli will be fined $1,000 with an early plea.
