St Kilda will challenge leading goalkicker Jack Higgins' three-game ban at the AL Tribunal after being cited for rough conduct on Port Adelaide's Aliir Aliir.
The AFL Match Review Officer's findings were announced on Saturday afternoon, with no other charges coming out of the Power's 10-point win at Adelaide Oval.
With the AFL Tribunal hearing likely to be on Tuesday evening, The Sporting News has all the latest details.
MORE: AFL Match Review and Tribunal, explained: Charge gradings, how it works
WATCH: Jack Higgins' tackle on Aliir Aliir
The charge against Higgins was graded careless conduct, severe impact and high contact - which draws an automatic three-match ban.
Late in the second quarter, Higgins attempted to tackle Aliir as the Power defender tried to fight his way through the pressure.
As Higgins went to ground with his arms around Aliir, the Port player tried to kick the ball and went head first into the turf.
Higgins' arms were still around Aliir when the Port Adelaide star hit the ground, one slightly around the waist and the other pinning the defender's left arm.
Jack Higgins has been handed a three-match suspension for this tackle on Aliir Aliir.
— AFL (@AFL) April 27, 2024
Full details: https://t.co/knAkrZeKEX pic.twitter.com/oXt4yiPRwr
After the incident, Aliir left the field for a concussion test and was eventually ruled out the rest of the game with a concussion injury.
Will St Kilda challenge Higgins' suspension at the AFL Tribunal?
St Kilda have announced they will fight Higgins' ban at the AFL Tribunal.
The Saints have already contested one suspension at the AFL Tribunal this season, when they were unsuccessful in fighting a one-match ban for Max King after Round 2.
With several football experts questioning whether Higgins should be suspended, this will likely give the Saints confidence in their challenge of the charge.
On Fox Footy, Hawthorn premiership player Jordan Lewis said:
“I feel for Higgins - if Aliir Aliir understands if he’s being tackled and doesn’t then try and kick the ball, well then there’s probably no case to answer for.
“I think Aliir contributes 50 per cent of that force going to the ground by trying to dispose of the ball.”
Gerard Healy said: “This will be an interesting result, an interesting challenge for the MRO, because (Aliir) sort of helps hit the ground himself with his kick, so (there’s) two combined forces.
“Whether Higgins is in trouble or not is questionable.”
Higgins is the fourth St Kilda player suspended in 2024 with Jimmy Webster (seven matches), Marcus Windhager (one match) and Max King (one match) being hit by bans.
The loss of Higgins would be a big blow for the Saints with the ex-Tiger leading their goalkicking with 13 goals this season.
