Carlton hit by suspension as Western Bulldogs receive good news for elimination AFL final
Liam Jones and Matt Owies both came under scrutiny from the AFL match review officer.
Key Western Bulldogs defender Liam Jones is free to play, but dynamic Carlton forward Matt Owies will miss the first week of AFL finals after being offered a one-match ban. Jones was expected to be banned for his dumping tackle on Aaron Cadman, but is now eligible to play in the first final of his 14-season, 199-game AFL career.
Jones was penalised for the tackle just 18 seconds into Sunday’s 37-point win over the Giants. As Cadman took possession inside 50, Jones pinned his right arm and drove him into the ground, with the forward’s head slamming hard into the turf.
The forward was given a free kick for a dangerous tackle as Cadman’s teammates immediately rushed in furious with Jones’ tackle. Despite only pinning one arm, Jones used that leverage to drag the young Giants forward to ground forcefully. But the rough-conduct incident was only assessed as careless conduct, low impact and high contact, meaning Jones can escape with a $2500 fine with an early guilty plea.
The AFL suspended GWS defender Lachie Ash for a similar tackle on Fremantle’s Hayden Young last week, with Ash pinning only one arm but taking Young to the ground with force. That precedent was expected to see Jones suspended for a medium impact rough conduct charge. The 33-year-old is a crucial part of the Bulldogs’ backline and would be a massive loss if unavailable.
Matt Owies banned for tackle on Jack Higgins
Carlton’s dynamic goalscorer Owies wasn’t so lucky and will miss the first week of finals after committing a driving tackle on Saints hero Jack Higgins. Owies has become crucial in the Blues’ top-eight hunt, kicking the third most goals at the club as injuries wreak havoc through their small forward ranks.
Jack Higgins was taken down in a big tackle from Owies.
But was he unlucky not to get a free kick?
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