AFL Round 1 tribunal: Jackson Archer, Justin McInerney both handed three week bans

Jackson Archer has been whacked by the AFL’s MRO after his horror collision with Luke Cleary on Saturday night, while Justin McInerney has also been handed a big ban.

North Melbourne defender Jackson Archer has been whacked with a three-match ban after a collision with Luke Cleary left the Western Bulldog concussed on Saturday night.

Cleary was stretchered off after receiving lengthy treatment on the field during the final quarter of the Bulldogs’ 16-point win over the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium.

He was hit in the head by Archer’s knee as the Kangaroos defender appeared to twist and leave the ground just before impact.

Match review officer Michael Christian graded the incident careless, with high contact and severe impact.

North Melbourne was yet to decide whether to challenge the suspension.

The impact from the collision sparked immediate concern from players on the field and Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge, who ran downstairs from the coaches’ box to check Cleary’s welfare.

But after being taken to hospital, the 23-year-old was cleared of any serious damage to his head or neck and was in “good spirits” back at home by Sunday morning, a Bulldogs spokesperson said.

Cleary will be monitored under the league concussion protocols.

Both Beveridge and Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson said after the game they did not think Archer would have a case to answer with the MRO, but the Roos could be faced with losing another defender.

Luke Cleary of the Bulldogs is taken from the ground on a stretcher after a contest with Jackson Archer. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

They will already need to replace fullback Griffin Logue (hamstring) against Melbourne on Sunday, while Charlie Comben will need prove his fitness for the Demons clash after suffering a minor ankle sprain late in the match.

Comben, who has a history of serious lower leg injuries, was sent for scans on Sunday but no structural damage was found.

The bruising clash will also sideline luckless Bulldogs defender James O’Donnell, who was due to undergo surgery on a broken jaw by Monday morning and expected to miss multiple games.

With Liam Jones (hamstring) still at least two weeks away, the Bulldogs will need to turn to either Ryan Gardner, Buku Khamis or untried former No. 13 pick Jedd Busslinger in defence against Collingwood on Friday night.

Originally published as AFL Round 1 tribunal: Jackson Archer, Justin McInerney both handed three week bans