Brighton Bombers lose Otis Carthy, Blake Higgins, James Sigal to dangerous tackle suspensions after game vs Goodwood Saints

The Adelaide Footy League has a sent a strong message to players suspending three teammates and labelling their dangerous tackles a “scourge on the game”.

Three Adelaide Footy League players have been suspended for multiple games for dangerous tackling during Saturday’s action.

Brighton Bombers’ Blake Higgins (three games), Otis Carthy (three games) and Jarman Sigal (two games) were all given suspensions after tribunal on Tuesday night.

The trio will be sidelined for dangerous tackles during the club’s 10-point win over Goodwood Saints.

Each act was deemed “careless”, with Higgins and Carthy’s tackling impact deemed high with medium contact.

Two Goodwood players – Kyle Kirk and Will Clarke – were knocked out during two of the incidents and will sit out at least one game (11 days) as per concussion protocols.

Kyle Kirk receives attention after being knocked out momentarily by a sling tackle against Brighton. Picture: Dartfish TV

Adelaide Footy League chief John Kernahan said dangerous tackling and the potential they had for injuring players had no place in the sport.

“Dangerous tackles are a scourge on the game whether they be a sling tackle or pinning a player’s arms and driving them into the ground with limited ability to protect themselves,” Kernahan said.

“As the football community becomes more familiar with the long-term affects of concussion and other serious injuries, we will continue to drive an agenda to weed out practices that place any player at risk for unnecessary harm.”

While Goodwood went on to lose the game, coach Luke Donaldson said there were no hard feelings toward Brighton and that the club’s main concern was the welfare of Kirk and Clarke.

Goodwood Saints coach Luke Donaldson (left) said the club’s sole concern was taking care of Kirk and Clarke. Picture: Sarah Reed

“I just think it was them trying to be aggressive and stamp their authority on the game but I think the league has continued to do a good job in preventing these sorts of occurrences and injuries,” Donaldson said.

“Most important for us is taking care of Kyle and Will. They’ll be checking in with doctors regularly to make sure they’re back to 100 per cent before they next play.

“They were both really dazed and confused after the game but during the week they’ve had the usual good days and bad days you can get with concussions.”

Brighton president Travis Kalleske was disappointed to see multiple players receive suspensions but understood the decision and sympathised with the Saints’ injuries.

Brighton Bombers president Travis Kalleske (right) said the weekend’s incidents would be a good learning curve for the club’s players. Picture: Supplied, Brighton Football Club Facebook page

“From our club’s perspective, no one enjoys seeing any player get injured in any way and equally we don’t want our players missing games of football through injury or suspension,” Kalleske said.

“The league has sent a strong message with how certain tackles will be dealt with and as a club we will always support the league’s stance on dangerous or violent conduct.

“We’re also confident that Saturday’s incidents will serve as a valuable learning tool for not only our playing group but all players across the league.”

The suspensions come just a week after a River Murray Football League player was suspended three games by the SANFL and RMFL for knocking out an opposing player during a fight.