Fiery Sydney Swans defender Zak Jones could be facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines after he was reported for two incidents in Friday’s 43-point loss to Essendon, including a high bump that saw Kyle Langford hospitalised.
Jones landed in the umpire’s book before the opening bounce after striking Zach Merrett with a cheeky left hand.
The controversial Swan’s second booking of the night late in the fourth quarter was far more serious as he caught Langford in the face in a sickening collision.
“He’s pretty sore so he’s gone off to hospital now just to get checked out,” Bombers coach John Worsfold said.
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“We're a bit unsure but concerned enough that they need to get him to hospital to get checked out.
“… It was shoulder pain but the shoulder pain was lingering and going down his arm a bit.
“So that is a warning sign I believe for the doctors to find out what’s causing that pain.”
A clearly unimpressed John Longmire refused to comment on either incident but declared the Swans ‘need to get the parachute out’ after losing four of their last five games.
“Ill have to wait and see, I can’t comment on it tonight, there’s no point,” Longmire said.
Pressed on the free-kick Jones conceded before the opening bounce, the Swans boss said: “Well I was hoping there wouldn’t be a free kick at the start of the game and our free-kick count tonight was something like 14-30, it was huge.
“So I don’t want to be giving those free kicks away, it’s a hard enough game as it is … we can’t afford that, giving them the ball back on a plate.”
The reaction on social media ranged from savage criticism to high praise for the polarising Jones:
Vaguely remember someone potentially mentioning this already but behind the tats and the rough lid, zak jones footy's biggest fake tough guy
— steeeeeeve madden (@ryliedotmorgan) July 27, 2018
2 reports for one player in one game.... both unnecessary, thuggish and potentially damaging. Doesn't look great for Zak Jones. #AFLDonsSwans
— Jess Wilkie (@jes_wilkie) July 27, 2018
Zak Jones is a gutless footballer #AFLDonsSwans
— James Anile (@jamesanile1) July 27, 2018
Think that’s the last time we see Zak Jones this year. Swans cooked. #AFLDonsSwans
— Tom Basso (@TheTomBasso) July 27, 2018
Zak Jones getting reported twice, what a legend 👏👏😂
— Bonnie Lillico (@BonnieLillico) July 27, 2018
Zak Jones should get 2 for the 2nd report. As far as the Merrett report it reminded me of the old Japanese action movies where the punch was thrown & the actor would react 3 seconds later & throw their head in the opposite direction lol #AFLDonsSwans
— Roberto (@chadnotweet) July 27, 2018
