Frustrated Sydney veteran Luke Parker is facing a monster ban for a brutal bump in the VFL on Friday night.
The 31-year-old was caught on the VFL broadcast bumping and injuring Frankston's Josh Smith in the second quarter.
Parker has spent the last four games in Sydney's VFL game since returning from injury after being overlooked for senior selection.
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Luke Parker bump video: Sydney star looking at massive ban
Just before half-time of the VFL match at Kinetic Stadium, Parker struck Smith with a bump off the ball, knocking the Dolphin to the ground.
Smith initially lay motionless on the turf before being taken to hospital with serious facial fractures.
Luke Parker was involved in this incident in the VFL. pic.twitter.com/nHtqoJRowg
— AFL (@AFL) May 17, 2024
Will Luke Parker be suspended?
It's almost a certainty that Parker will be suspended for the incident in the current climate of players being punished for making high contact, whether deliberate or accidental.
It is difficult to see in the vision whether Parker made contact with Smith's head with his shoulder or his own head - but that is likely a moot point in how the charge is dealt with by the VFL Match Review Officer.
Parker will be likely referred directly to the VFL Tribunal with a three-plus match suspension the most probable outcome.
St Kilda's Jimmy Webster was suspended for seven matches for a similar incident - except he left the ground to bump.
The fact Parker wasn't airborne when he struck Smith could see his ban more likely in the four-to-five week range.
Luke Parker's 2024 Sydney season
Parker is yet to play for Sydney's seniors in 2024 despite being fit for the last four matches.
The former Swans captain broke his arm in pre-season against GWS and was ruled out until Round 7 of the AFL season.
However, it was decided by Sydney coach John Longmire that Parker would come back through the VFL, with the senior side having such a great start to the season.
Parker has been among Sydney VFL's best players in all four matches at that level, averaging 30 disposals and 6.5 tackles a game.
But the gun midfielder's form hasn't been enough for VFL selection - and now it looks like he will be out of senior contention for a while through a suspension
