Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says his team doesn’t have an issue with discipline

MELBOURNE coach Simon Goodwin knows the incident with Tom Bugg and Callum Mills looked ugly but he insists the club doesn’t have a discipline issue.

Tom Bugg is facing a long suspension. Picture: Getty Images

MELBOURNE is counting a heavy cost from Friday night’s 35-point loss to Sydney, with the Demons set to lose co-captain Jack Viney to a plantar fascia injury and Tom Bugg to a hefty suspension after an ugly off-the-ball incident involving young Swan Callum Mills.

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But Demons captain Simon Goodwin refused to concede his team had a discipline issue, though he conceded the Bugg incident was not what his team wanted to stand for.

Bugg landed a forceful blow to the chin of the 2016 Rising Star winner less than five minutes into the game, leaving Mills concussed and out of the game.

He is almost certain to be referred straight to the AFL tribunal which could see him suspended for at least four weeks and probably more.

The incident will likely be graded as intentional, high, and to the face.

Bugg made an apology on Channel Seven after the match, seeking out Mills after the game, although a handful of Swans players were less charitable.

“Tom is very remorseful; it is not a great look,” Goodwin said. “It is not what we want to stand for as a footy club.”

“I don’t know if it had a great impact on our team ... I didn’t know how bad it was in the first quarter, I only really saw it for the first time after the game.”

He said the Demons prided themselves on being an aggressive team, but admitted his players needed to heed a lesson.

“I don’t think we have an undisciplined team, I think we have been a hard, ruthless team around the contest,” Goodwin said. “Our boys are certainly up for playing a physical brand of footy, but we have got to play within the rules.

Tom Bugg following his clash with Callum Mills. Picture: AAP Images

“We want our players playing on the field as much as we can. The rest of the playing group need to learn from that.”

Viney has been troubled with his plantar fascia for some weeks, but could not finish last night’s game. Scans on Saturday will determine how long he is out for.

“Clearly, it is not looking great for him,” Goodwin said. “It is disappointing to lose another player.”