North Melbourne to appeal Jackson Archer’s three-match ban but Western Bulldogs great Bob Murphy says a suspension is inevitable

An appeal against Jackson Archer’s three-game ban for an ugly collision could have wider impact, with opinions divided on whether he should be suspended.

North Melbourne will appeal the three-game ban handed to Jackson Archer for rough conduct after St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt said he was “really fearful for the game” if the young Kangaroo was banned.

Western Bulldogs great Bob Murphy said there was “no malice” in Archer’s collision with Bulldogs youngster Luke Cleary on Saturday night at Marvel Stadium, but it “may end up” a suspension.

Clearly was stretchered from the ground after the incident in which Archer collected him in the head with his legs after both charged towards the ball.

Teammate Tom Liberatore confirmed on Monday that Cleary was out of hospital, but his return to play remains unclear.

“He was in hospital overnight Saturday and I checked in with his family and checked in with him,” he said.

“He’s in (at the club) today and he’s actually recovered quite well.”

North Melbourne will challenge Jackson Archer's three-match suspension at the @AFL Tribunal.

📰: https://t.co/5Fapm8Uxqb#Kangaspic.twitter.com/z4P0VgWzqk

— North Melbourne FC (@NMFCOfficial) March 17, 2025

While the AFL world is divided on whether Archer, the son of North Melbourne great Glenn, should be suspended, Murphy said it could be inevitable.

“We get the luxury of looking at it in slow motion, and it’s whether the tribunal thinks he had another option, and they might deem that he did,” Murphy, who has returned to the Bulldogs in a leadership and cultural capacity this year, said on Monday.

“There’s definitely no malice and it’s one of those ones where you don’t want to see players miss footy for those sort of things, but it may end up that way.”

Riewoldt was less convinced that Archer had any alternative.

“Both players were running for the ball,” Riewoldt told Triple M’s Mick in the Morning.

“Jackson Archer comes in fast but as he approaches the contest his stride shortens, he doesn’t brace (for contact), he doesn’t jump, he doesn’t slide, he doesn’t protect himself – he is wide open. Luke Cleary falls forward with an opposition player behind him and collects his head onto Jackson Archer’s knee.

Luke Cleary is taken from the ground on a stretcher. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“Now, Jackson Archer has been given three games for rough conduct. I don’t understand what this guy was meant to do. He doesn’t do anything – the only thing he does is slow down as he is approaching the contest. It’s an unfortunate accident that Cleary’s head has hit him in the knee.

“I’m just really fearful for the game itself if this guy gets three weeks for this accident. You can’t legislate accidents out of the game. We don’t want concussions – that point has been made – that’s why players that are now bracing and protecting themselves are getting suspended. Jackson Archer is lucky not to have a broken leg; it’s a violent collision. I would be sad if he doesn’t get off this.”

Archer was charged with rough conduct, the incident graded careless conduct, severe impact and high contact.

Originally published as North Melbourne to appeal Jackson Archer’s three-match ban but Western Bulldogs great Bob Murphy says a suspension is inevitable