Fremantle's Sam Switkowski has been given a two-week ban after a hearing at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night.
The suspension comes following his chicken wing tackle on Jack Ginnivan during the Docker's loss to Collingwood on Sunday, which saw him referred directly to the Tribunal.
In the incident, Ginnivan collected a loose ball before Switkowski pinned him to the ground and tucked the young Magpie's left arm behind his back.
Despite the fact that Ginnivan wasn't hurt in the incident, the Match Review Officer charged Switkowski with "serious misconduct".
The 25-year-old forward pleaded guilty to the charge.
Fremantle forward Sam Switkowski has been referred directly to the Tribunal following this incident in the Dockers' loss to Collingwood.
— AFL (@AFL) May 23, 2022
Full details: https://t.co/I33GJti72u pic.twitter.com/19bZfcj13F
Switkowski will now miss key games against Melbourne and Brisbane, who are first and second in the league, respectively.
Fremantle initially suggested a significant fine would suffice, but the AFL handed down a two-match penalty, stating it could have been a longer suspension without a guilty plea.
“We consider the way in which Switkowski maneuvered Ginnivan‘s arm ... was intentional, unsportsmanlike and dangerous,” Tribunal chairman Jeff Gleeson said.
“It clearly had the potential to cause injury and significant injury ... and it was surprising no injury resulted.
“This was not just an act of misconduct but admitted to be an act of serious misconduct.
"In our view, the appropriate sanction is a two-week suspension.
“In the absence of a comprehensive guilty plea, the sanction would have been higher.”
Speaking after the Tribunal hearing, Switkowski stated that the tackle was not reflective of his nature.
"It's incredibly disappointing, but I'm super respectful of the decision of the Tribunal," Switkowski said.
"It's certainly not in my nature to do such an act out on the field, and I'm super relieved that Jack [Ginnivan] didn't sustain any injuries.
"Now I'll just look to training hard over the next couple of weeks and returning and representing the club."
