Sydney's Luke Parker has been referred directly to the VFL tribunal for his bump on Frankston player Josh Smith on Friday night.
The decision means the league is seeking a ban of at least five weeks for the incident which left Smith concussed and with facial fractures.
Graded as careless conduct, severe impact and high contact, Parker's attempts at getting back into the high-flying Swans senior side look set to take a big hit.
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Luke Parker bump video
Take a look at the incident below:
Luke Parker was involved in this incident in the VFL. pic.twitter.com/nHtqoJRowg
— AFL (@AFL) May 17, 2024
The incident, which occurred shortly before half-time in Sydney's reserves loss to the Dolphins, saw Parker elect to bump Smith, who seemed unaware contact was coming.
It came in Parker's fourth successive game in the VFL after returning from a broken arm suffered in pre-season.
The three-time Bob Skilton Medal winner had been making an extremely strong case for a return to the seniors, averaging just under 30 disposals.
If he is rubbed out for five weeks, the earliest he could return to AFL level is round 17.
Parker has played 283 games and won a premiership with the Swans, but John Longmire's side currently sit two games clear on top of the ladder, with the likes of Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney, James Rowbottom and Errol Gulden holding down the midfield in his absence.
The Swans travel to Melbourne to take on Western Bulldogs on Thursday night, while the VFL team hosts Northern Bullants in Sydney on Friday.
