St Kilda’s Jimmy Webster has been handed a monster seven-game suspension at the AFL Tribunal for his brutal bump on North Melbourne's Jy Simpkin.
In a marathon hearing, the AFL’s counsel sought an eight-game ban for the defender while Webster’s team argued that a four-match suspension was more befitting for the contact.
Jimmy Webster AFL Tribunal result: St Kilda defender cops lengthy suspension for bump
The decision to hand down the lengthy ban took the panel at the AFL Tribunal well over one hour to reach.
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Jy Simpkin has left the field following this bump from Jimmy Webster.#AFLSaintsNorth pic.twitter.com/UGDuSh7emB
— AFL (@AFL) March 3, 2024
The incident was initially graded as careless, severe impact and high contact by the Match Review Officer which was upheld on Tuesday night.
It only narrowly avoided being the equal-longest ban handed out since 2018, when Andrew Gaff copped eight weeks for striking Andrew Brayshaw.
Webster leapt off the ground and collided into Simpkin's head in a horrific attempt to bump the North Melbourne co-captain.
"I went into the hearing completely open to accepting whatever consequence the Tribunal delivered," Webster said after the findings.
"I wish to reiterate my remorse and again apologise to Jy for my actions.
"I will take this time on the sidelines to reflect on my actions and work hard to keep it out of my game."
St Kilda fixture: Which games will Jimmy Webster miss?
Webster will have to spend almost the entirety of the first two months of the season on the sideline after being handed the hefty suspension.
St Kilda open their campaign away to Geelong on March 16 before hosting Collingwood at the MCG.
Three games away from home then follow where St Kilda takes on Essendon, Richmond and the Giants.
In Round 6, they host the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium which precedes a trip to Adelaide to take on the Power.
In Round 8, a clash against the Kangaroos awaits on May 4, which Webster will be eligible to play in.
Jy Simpkin updates: North Melbourne star ruled out of opening round after Webster bump
The bump occurred in the first quarter of the AFL Community Series match at RSEA Park last Sunday and caused uproar in footy circles as Simpkin didn’t return to the fold.
He has since been ruled out of the Kangaroos’ opening round match of the season against the Giants.
The North Melbourne co-captain has now suffered three concussions in the space of the last 12 months causing the club to monitor him closely on the eve of the new season.
"Jy’s health and well-being is our number one priority,” General Manager of Football, Todd Viney, said.
"Given Jy’s concussion history, our medical team will take a conservative approach to his management and recovery as per the AFL’s Concussion Protocols.
"Jy came into the club today, he’s doing well and is in good spirits but his official return-to-play timeline is unclear at this point as it depends on his progress."
Alastair Clarkson under investigation for Jimmy Webster comments
In the aftermath of the Simpkin's injury, North Melbourne's coach Alastair Clarkson allegedly made a 'homophobic' slur to Webster.
At quarter-time and shortly after Webster's hit on Simpkin, Clarkson confronted the St Kilda player before reportedly calling him a 'c***sucker'.
The expletive-ridden tirade was heard by AFLW football boss Tess McManus, several players and fitness staff.
Clarkson has since apologised for making the comment but is waiting on possible sanction from the sport's governing body.
"I was deeply disturbed seeing our captain Jy Simpkin forced from the field as a result of a heavy collision just before quarter-time," Clarkson said in a statement.
"Jy has had a great pre-season and has now had three concussions in 12 months and I was so disappointed to see him leave the field in that way.
"At the quarter-time break, I voiced my displeasure to St Kilda players Jimmy Webster and Dougal Howard as they made their way to the quarter time huddle.
"This was an exchange that was emotional in defence of our captain, but unnecessary and the language I used was inappropriate."
