AFL 2023: All the MRO news and analysis from round 23

The VFL has stepped in to appeal the decision of its own tribunal to hand Richmond’s Tyler Sonsie a three-match ban for an off-the-ball strike. See their reasons here.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 18: Taylor Adams (left) and Beau McCreery of the Magpies look dejected after a loss during the 2023 AFL Round 23 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium on August 18, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The three-match ban handed to Richmond youngster Tyler Sonsie for his ugly high hit will be appealed by the VFL with a hearing to be held on Monday night.

Sonsie, 20, was captured on match vision from Sunday’s clash with North Melbourne appearing to tussle with opponent Tom Cappellari on Sunday before he landed a blow to the Roo’s chin, sending him to the ground.

Sonsie was hit with a three-match penalty on Tuesday evening – which was lashed as “woefully inadequate” — but the league will appeal the ban on the grounds that it was manifestly inadequate for the act.

After confirming its decision to appeal the penalty on Wednesday afternoon, the VFL also confirmed that it would challenge the suspension on grounds that the decision had involved an error of law that had “a material impact on the tribunal’s decision”, and that “the decision was so unreasonable that no controlling body or tribunal acting reasonably could have come to that decision having regard to the evidence before it”.

The league had been pushing for a ban of five or more matches but Richmond representatives were successful in getting the impact of the hit downgraded from severe to high impact.

The Kangaroos’ medical report had indicated that Cappellari had not exhibited any symptoms of concussion or fractures and would train this week.

The appeal is set to be heard at 5pm on Monday.

EARLIER: VFL TRIBUNAL CRITICISED FOR SONSIE SUSPENSION

Matt Turner

The VFL tribunal has been criticised for handing out a “woefully inadequate” suspension for a “blatant act of violence on the football field”.

Richmond’s Tyler Sonsie received a three-match ban on Tuesday night for an off-the-ball hit on North Melbourne’s Tom Cappellari at Swinburne Centre on Sunday.

The incident was graded intentional conduct with severe impact and high contact, leading the VFL to seek a minimum five-game suspension.

Sonsie pleaded guilty to striking, but Richmond had the severe impact reduced to high and the forward copped three matches instead.

AFL 360 co-host Gerard Whateley said the strike was “as poor as anything we’ve seen this season”.

“That (three-game ban) is woefully inadequate,” Whateley said.

Tyler Sonsie strikes Tom Cappellari.

Co-host Mark Robinson called the decision “rubbish”.

“You can’t walk up to a player and punch him in the face like that,” Robinson said.

“(Hawthorn’s) James Sicily got three weeks for a tackle in an act of play.

“Whether you agree with it or not, we’re starting to get our heads around it but that (Sonsie’s strike) is a blatant act of violence on the football field.”

Taken with pick 28 in the 2021 national draft, Sonsie has played 10 AFL games for the Tigers, including three this season.

Bound to be trouble for Tyler Sonsie here... pic.twitter.com/SvypVaEpF9

— 7AFL (@7AFL) August 20, 2023

Cats veteran banned for dump tackle

– Jay Clark

Geelong will be forced to make a raft of changes for its final game of the season against the Western Bulldogs after losing veteran playmaker Mitch Duncan to suspension.

Duncan was banned for one match for his dangerous tackle on Saint Jack Higgins on Saturday night, and will join Esava Ratugolea (hamstring) and Brad Close (ankle) on the sidelines.

And Sydney will be missing gun defender Tom McCartin for its game against Melbourne and the first week of finals after he was suspended for two matches for a high bump.

In a huge blow for the Swans, McCartin was banned for his collision to Shane McAdam’s head in the thrilling win over Adelaide.

McAdam bent down to pick up the ball when McCartin made high contact.

Sydney, which will seriously consider fighting the ban at the tribunal on Tuesday, would at the very least want McCartin for their elimination final after the Swans locked in a finals spot on Sunday.

Does Duncan have anything to worry about for this tackle? 🤔

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McCartin’s bump was graded careless conduct, high contact and high impact.

The Cats will miss Duncan, but Zach Guthrie escaped suspension for his bump on Saint Hunter Clark.

The bump was considered shoulder to shoulder rather than to Clark’s head. Tom Atkins and Ollie Henry were fined.

Geelong is also weighing up sending Jeremy Cameron in for season-ending shoulder surgery.

Pies wrecking ball cops ban on eve of finals

Collingwood forward Beau McReery will miss Friday night’s blockbuster against Essendon but will be free to play in a qualifying final after copping a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle.

McReery was hit with the one-match ban by match review officer Michael Christian after driving Lion Darcy Wilmot into the turf in the third quarter, with Wilmot’s left arm pinned when taken down.

The incident was graded as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact, with Wilmot playing out the game without any issue.

McReery’s suspension will be a blow to the sputtering Magpies, with his front-on pressure in the forward line a vital ingredient after coach Craig McRae bemoaned the full-ground defensive effort of his team in Friday night’s loss to Brisbane.

Star onballer Jordan De Goey (glute) is set to return against the Bombers, after McRae said he could have played if the Lions game was on Saturday.

Bobby Hill’s hamstring tightness will also be assessed and he is likely to return on Friday night.

Beau McCreery (right) may be in hot water for sling tackle on Friday night. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Should McCreery be cited by the MRO for this tackle?

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— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) August 18, 2023

The Magpies will take no risks with sore defender Nathan Murphy, after he was involved in a string of big hits against the Lions.

Murphy received treatment on his glute in the second quarter before being involved in a heavy knock in the third and finally coming to the bench early in the final term to watch the remainder of the game from the pine.

Skipper Darcy Moore (hamstring) is eyeing a return in the qualifying final, while superstar Nick Daicos (knee) is hopeful of returning for Collingwood’s second final.