AFL Barwon tribunal: William Ford, Joseph Bangura suspended for two weeks

Bell Post Hill’s Will Ford will have to wait a while longer to face his old side after the GDFL’s leading goal kicker accepted his two-week suspension.

Football GDFL: Bell Post Hill v East Geelong Bell Post Hill 17 Will Ford Picture: Mark Wilson

Bell Post Hill’s star forward Will Ford will miss a highly-anticipated clash against his old side Winchelsea after he accepted a two-week suspension.

The competition’s leading goal kicker, who has slotted 44 goals in seven games, was banned for intentionally striking Anakie’s Billy Goodwin.

Bell Post Hill coach Justin Tarr confirmed the club would accept the suspension.

“Fordy is disappointed, he’s really shattered he’ll miss the game against Winchelsea,” he said.

Football GDFL: Belmont Lions v Bell Post HillBell Post Hill 17 Will Ford handballsPicture: Mark Wilson

“It was an undisciplined action, so it will be a learning curve for him and I don’t think we’ll see him doing something like that again, but Fordy’s a great player.”

Ford had kicked 17 goals in the game against Anakie before his elbow landed a blow on Goodwin, with the action sparking a fourth-quarter melee between players from both sides.

Winchelsea captain Will Ford has joined GDFL rival Bell Post Hill.

Bell Post Hill will now need to find a new avenue for goal, with games against the seventh-placed Winchelsea and third-placed Bannockburn on the horizon.

Tarr said it would be a “full team effort” to cover Ford’s absence.

“It won’t be one player who will step up, we’re expecting our full six forwards to play well,” he said.

“We’ve got (Nick) Costello who has played full forward before, he’s been in good form recently.

“Our depth has been on show this year, like every club we’re struggling with injuries and Covid, but even though it’s not ideal every club in Geelong is dealing with it at the moment.

“That’s one thing that has been great this year, we’ve had guys step up and play good footy when we’ve needed them to.”

Football GDFL: Geelong West v Bell Post Hill at West Oval.Geelong West 43 Joseph Bangura and Bell Post Hill 23 Jordan SabellPicture: Mark Wilson

Geelong West will also accept Joseph Bangura’s two-week suspension for a dangerous tackle on East Geelong’s Jacob Ozolins.

He will miss a top-of-the-table clash against Inverleigh, as well as a match against Corio.

Originally published as AFL Barwon tribunal: William Ford, Joseph Bangura suspended for two weeks