AFL 2022: Magpie defender Brayden Maynard cops two matches for strike

Collingwood will be without one of its key players for the first two rounds of Craig McRae’s tenure after Brayden Maynard’s ban was upheld at the tribunal. Here’s why the appeal failed.

Jordan De Goey of the Magpies.

Collingwood has failed to overturn Brayden Maynard’s two-match striking ban on Tuesday night in a further blow to the Magpies’ defence.

The AFL is cracking down on head-high hits and this is an early win in that battle.

The Pies’ legal counsel Stephen Russell argued Maynard struck the ball first and did all he could to minimise contact to Giants forward Daniel Lloyd.

Lloyd was knocked out when his head crashed into the ground following the hit from Maynard’s left arm in the act of spoiling.

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The AFL’s legal counsel Andrew Woods said it was clear Maynard’s arm would hit Lloyd’s head once he left the ground and he failed in his duty of care.

After a brief deliberation, tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson said the sanction would be upheld.

The tribunal loss means Collingwood will have to wear a $10,000 hit to its football department soft cap.

“We find that the conduct was careless, the contact was high and the impact was high,” Gleeson said.

“We find that, in approaching and affecting the contest in the manner in which player Maynard did, it could be reasonably foreseen to result in a strike to player Lloyd’s head.”

The Pies will also miss Jordan Roughead (shoulder) and recruit Charlie Dean (foot), while another backman, Mark Keane, retired in January to return home to Ireland.

But star defender Jeremy Howe (adductor) is expected to recover in time for the season opener, with he and Darcy Moore set to carry huge responsibility against the Saints’ Max King-led attack.

Collingwood will front the Tribunal to challenge Brayden Maynard's ban for striking.

Details: https://t.co/HdR6Ff6gcCpic.twitter.com/myWythoMmq

— AFL (@AFL) March 8, 2022

Collingwood recruit Nathan Kreuger also received a one-game suspension for rough conduct after a bump he delivered to GWS onballer Callan Ward that left the Magpie concussed.

Former coach Nathan Buckley said on Tuesday Maynard’s decision not to attack the contest at full speed put him in a “clumsy” position.

He said he would have counselled Maynard to attack with ferocity and turn the collision into a legal football act.

“Because you ummed and ahhed on how you were going to go, he needed to go twice as hard to spoil that ball and he would have made more solid contact with Lloyd, and he would have been more effective and it would have been closer to a football action. I think he equivocated between whether he was going to body spoil or go for the ball and that what was what looked poor in the end. I wouldn’t say (it was) crude, it looked clumsy,” Buckley told SEN.

The AFL has clearly drawn a line in the sand on those kinds of head-high strikes even if the case eventually finds its way to the tribunal.

Late spoils are almost always categorised as careless instead of intentional but because of the concussion the force had to be assessed as high.

It meant Maynard had no middle ground – dodging suspension or handed at least two weeks.

Brayden Maynard has been suspended for two games after a high hit. Picture: Getty Images

Kreuger’s hit was assessed as careless and medium-impact assessment after he chose to bump Ward but came off second-best.

It also reinforces the AFL’s view that it will take a hard line on bumps, with most bumps to the head now assessed as medium impact if they have the capacity to cause serious injury.

Kruger would have been available under the AFL’s 12-day concussion protocol if he had dodged a suspension.

GWS ruckman Braydon Preuss was handed a one-week ban for a dumping tackle on Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy.

Grundy’s head did not appear to hit the ground in the dangerous tackle but he was given a ban for a careless, medium impact action.

West Coast’s Alex Witherden was given a one-week ban for rough conduct in an incident with Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw on Sunday night.

Fairytale looms as bloodied Roo sent to dentist

– Daniel Garb

The fairytale return to AFL football of former number one pick Patrick McCartin could occur in the round one derby after the former number one draft pick excelled yet again in Sydney’s 32 point pre-season win over North Melbourne that was inspired by Isaac Heeney.

McCartin last played an AFL game four years ago after battling severe concussion issues but Sydney’s decision to take a gamble on the number one pick from 2014 and change his position could yet prove to be a masterstroke.

Still only 25, McCartin was once a big-bodied forward but his switch to defence alongside his brother Tom looks to have revived his career after he spent last year battling away in a second-tier competition.

He finished with 13 disposals and seven marks at Giants Stadium, playing mainly at fullback on Nick Larkey who was kept to two majors.

Paddy McCartin has bolted into Round 1 contention. Picture: Phil Hillyard

He finished with 13 disposals and seven marks at Giants Stadium, playing mainly at fullback on Nick Larkey who was kept to two majors.

“At the minute he’d have to be close (to play round one). He’ll hopefully train the next two weeks and build that cohesion with the back six and play alongside his brother which will be great to see at some stage,” Swans assistant coach Dean Cox said.

“The pleasing thing with Paddy is he’s worked really hard to get back on an AFL list. To be able to adjust and play back, he’s worked extremely hard on.”

The former number one draft pick may have been the story of the game but the reigning number one pick continues to generate headlines.

After watching fellow boom draftee Nick Daicos shine in Collingwood’s clash with GWS on the same ground earlier in the day, Jason Horne-Francis delivered an exciting display of his own to keep Kangaroo fans salivating over his potential.

North’s new number six kicked two majors including one from 40 metres out on a standing start and gathered 16 touches to show yet again that’ll he be a key part of North’s hopes for a move up the ladder this season.

With Lance Franklin rested ahead of round one and his pursuit of five more goals to hit the magical 1000 mark and Tom Papley injured, it was Isaac Heeney who shone after signing a new six year deal this week.

The dynamic forward kicked four goals, laid seven tackles and had 17 possessions in a further sign that he could elevate his game to sit consistently alongside the competition’s absolute elite in 2022.

THE MAC ATTACK

With a myriad of talented youngsters at the Swans, Justin McInerney may not garner as much attention as others but that could change in 2022 with a final pre-season hitout performance of 30 disposals and a goal from the wing that showcased his undoubted hard running, clean disposal game.

GOLDEN GULDEN

Errol Gulden is one of those Swans young guns with huge expectations and his enormous talent came to the fore in the third term with a goal on the run from 60 metres out off his booming left boot. In just his second season he has emerged as one of the competition’s very best youngsters.

Errol Gulden reminds us how lethal his left foot is 🤩#AAMISeriespic.twitter.com/Bq7vqh60uF

— AFL (@AFL) March 6, 2022

JOSH’S DENTAL APPOINTMENT

There were no serious injuries for either side but the Kangaroos do have a slight concern over Josh Walker who was rushed to the dentist after a knock to the face from Will Hayward in a marking contest. The incident left his mouth bloodied and required some emergency surgery. Cameron Zurhaar sat out the game as the Roos manage his loads before the start of the season.

Josh Walker was left bloodied after a knock to the face. Picture: Getty Images

SYDNEY 2.2, 5.6, 9.7, 12.10 (82)

NORTH MELBOURNE 1.1, 3.3, 5.6, 7.9 (51)

GOALKICKERS

SYDNEY: Heeney 4, McDonald, McLean 2, Florent, Gulden, Hickey, McInerney

NORTH: Larkey, Horne-Francis 2, Goldstein, Greenwood, Lazzaro

BEST

Sydney: Heeney, McInerney, Florent, Blakey, P.McCartin

North: Davies-Uniacke, Xerri, Thomas, Horne-Francis

Injuries: North: Walker (jaw) Sydney: nil

McRae gives injury update, weighs in on Maynard hit

Collingwood’s final tune-up for Round 1 of the AFL season has been far from ideal with star defender Brayden Maynard facing possible suspension and three more players suffering injuries in a 41-point loss to GWS at Giants Stadium.

While the Giants midfield, led by 41 possessions to Josh Kelly, a reinvigorated Stephen Coniglio and the dangerous Tim Taranto, looks in fine shape as they bid to make the finals again, the Magpies encouraging pre-season took a major hit.

The major worry surrounds Maynard, who is in grave danger of being suspended for a number of weeks, while midfield recruit Patrick Lipinski is under an injury cloud for Round 1 after damaging his ankle.

A trainer helps Daniel Lloyd after he hit the deck. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Maynard collected Giants forward Daniel Lloyd late in the second quarter with an arm across the head while initially trying to impact a contest.

The incident that saw the 25-year-old reported on the spot, left Lloyd dazed while in the hands of trainers and ultimately ended his afternoon with concussion.

That won’t help Maynard’s case, and if it’s adjudged to be an intentional hit with high impact he’s be likely to be sidelined for more than just the opening round of the season against St Kilda.

New Collingwood coach Craig Macrae refused to shy away from the disappointment of the Magpies final pre-season hitout, but he stopped short of voicing his frustration.

“Yeah it’s not ideal is it at this time of year,” Macrae said.

“You have a great pre-season, put your best team out there and then lose a couple of soldiers a couple of weeks out before round one.

“Disappointing is not a word that comes to mind, we’ll look at the footage and make more sense then, of what it looks like.

“Anything regards to a guy leaving the field with a knock, you’d be concerned if you’re involved in that incident that’s the way the AFL are going to interpret it this year.

Meanwhile, Lipinski’s Magpies career may also have a delayed start.

After 56 games with the Bulldogs, the Lipinski had been singled out as a key part of the Collingwood midfield for 2022 by new coach Craig Macrae.

But a rolled ankle late in the first quarter ended his afternoon and after he was seen in a moon boot and on crutches at halftime, he’s likely to face a race against time to suit up in the season opener.

The same situation could beset young key defender Nathan Murphy, who was assisted off the ground after falling awkwardly on his ankle late in the third term after a marking contest.

Compounding Collingwood’s woes, another recruit in Nathan Kreuger was forced off early in the game following a head knock with Callan Ward.

The AFL’s 12-day protocol means the former Cat will be free to play in the Pies’ Friday night season opener against the Saints on March 18, if he has recovered sufficiently.

Nathan Kreuger is helped off after a head knock. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“It’s a bit early to tell. Lipinski with his ankle, we’re going to get scans. Murphy was similar,” McRae said.

“We’ll know more early in the week.”

“Kreuger has concussion at this stage, not sure how bad that is but that’s mandatory 12 days minimum.”

GWS took advantage of those Magpie mishaps to lead all afternoon and ultimately emerge triumphant by seven goals.

Without Jesse Hogan up forward, Jake Riccardi and Bobby Hill led the way with three goals each while there were doubles for Harry Himmelberg, Taranto and Jacob Hopper.

Oliver Henry was the shining light in attack for Collingwood, kicking three goals in an impressive showing from the former No. 17 draft pick while Jordan De Goey looked dangerous early before putting the brakes on in the second half.

While it was only a pre-season hitout, frustration got the better of Brodie Grundy in the final term as he put a late hit on Jacob Hopper that angered the Giants midfielder. It’s unlikely to attract the attention of the match review panel, however.

Jordan De Goey of the Magpies watches on during the loss to GWS. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

DAICOS DELIGHTS

Nick Daicos shouldn’t be too concerned with high expectations, having dealt with them for the last few years, but they’re only set to ramp up for the No. 4 draft pick ahead of a certain Round 1 debut. It’s hard to get Magpies fans any more enthused about their new prized prodigy, but the son of a gun is managing to do that for them across the pre-season. He collected more possessions than any other Magpie, finishing with 31 all up in a polished display.

KEY COG

Stephen Coniglio will be analysed as closely as any other player in 2022 after two lean seasons and criticism of his captaincy. Those leadership duties may now be shared with Josh Kelly and Toby Greene, but there are strong signs that the 28-year-old will return to the form that saw him sign a lucrative seven-year deal at the end of 2019. He produced another strong pre-season showing in the Giants’ win, compiling 27 possessions and ten marks.

Nick Daicos dwas one of Collignwood’s best against GWS. Picture: Phil Hillyard

TIM’S IN TUNE

With Greene out suspended for the first five weeks of the season, Tim Taranto is set to assume his role as a half-forward pushing into midfield over that time, and he looks to be adjusting to it without any concerns. The Giants star collected plenty of the footy en route to 31 possessions while also bobbing up in dangerous areas to kick two majors.