Port Adelaide star Sam Powell-Pepper is set to miss the opening rounds of the new season after he was referred directly to the AFL Tribunal for a bump on Mark Keane during a practice match against Adelaide.
The Port forward hit his opponent high which left him dazed and clutching at his head during the first period of the clash at Alberton Oval last week.
Sam Powell-Pepper suspension: How many games could the Port Adelaide star miss?
The Match Review officer deemed the contact to be careless conduct, severe impact and high contact which has resulted in a proposed three-plus game suspension.
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Powell-Pepper clattered into the Irishman’s face with his shoulder while he was in the process of being tackled by Willie Rioli.
Adelaide’s medical staff immediately attended to Keane before helping him from the field where he was later ruled out of the rest of the game due to concussion.
Crow Mark Keane left worse for wear after this heavy knock.
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"The first thing I did was flick Mark a message after the game," Powell-Pepper told Seven after the weekend incident.
"It is never my intention to concuss anyone or hit anyone high. I think I play a tough, fair game and obviously got that one wrong."
Initially, it was feared the forceful contact had broken Keane's jaw, however the Crows have since provided an update on the 23-year-old, who will have to pass concussion protocols before returning to the field.
"Mark is presenting well and ran today," the club's High-Performance Manager, Darren Burgess, said on Monday.
"He will obviously work his way through the AFL’s protocols before returning to play."
Keane joins a growing injury list at the club with Jordon Butts, Wayne Milera, Jake Soligo, Rory Sloane, Nick Murray and Harry Schoenberg also all sidelined.
What games could Sam Powell-Pepper miss for Port Adelaide?
Due to Powell-Pepper being referred directly to the Tribunal, the Port star is facing a longer ban than the three games that have been initially touted.
Port Adelaide’s season begins with a home fixture against West Coast before they travel to Victoria to take on Richmond.
The Power will then play back-to-back home games against Melbourne and Essendon, which Powell-Pepper is in serious danger of missing.
If the suspension handed down stretches longer than four matches, then he could also miss upcoming clashes against Fremantle and Collingwood.
