Dangerous tackles likely to attract AFL match review scrutiny

Essendon will challenge captain Zach Merrett’s suspension as a spate of poor tackles from the round are examined by the MRO.

Essendon captain Zach Merrett (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Essendon will appeal Zach Merrett’s one-week ban for a dangerous tackle after a spate of similar incidents marred the AFL’s Gather Round.

As it stands, the Bombers captain will miss his side’s Anzac Day clash against Collingwood and could be joined on the sidelines by a Magpies opponent following an incident on Sunday.

Taylor Adams is likely to attract MRO scrutiny for his tackle on St Kilda’s Seb Ross, which led to the Saints midfielder’s head hitting the turf as he was dragged down.

The incident is complicated by the involvement of two other Magpies who made contact with Ross in the same sequence, but Adams could face a one-week ban like Merrett if the impact on Ross is deemed to be “medium” rather than “low”.

Picking and choosing Sling tackles? @AFL Taylor Adams gets a week for this pic.twitter.com/dZTiAKBgdQ

— Damion Maher (@Damion23) April 16, 2023

Essendon is expected to argue to the tribunal that Merrett’s tackle on Melbourne’s Tom Sparrow was low impact rather than medium, but the MRO’s grading of the incident comes as the AFL tries to crack down on the action following a string of similar offences in the opening five rounds of the season.

Hawthorn midfielder Will Day (two matches) and Geelong forward Gary Rohan (one match) were both rubbed out for dangerous tackles in round 4, while Nathan Broad (four matches) and Ryan Burton (two matches) were suspended the week before, with Broad’s tackle concussing Adelaide defender Patrick Parnell.

No player has successfully escaped a suspension for a dangerous tackle at the tribunal this season.

The MRO will hand down its findings from Sunday’s games about 6pm Monday.

Originally published as Dangerous tackles likely to attract AFL match review scrutiny