Watch: Fringe Sydney Swan Sam Wicks handed month ban for innocuous tackle in the VFL
Sam Wicks is the second Swan handed a monster ban for a VFL incident, with an innocuous tackle handing the youngster a month off football. Watch the incident and have your say.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Sydney will be without Sam Wicks after the small forward copped a four week ban in the VFL.
Wicks laid a tackle on Collingwood’s Ash Johnson that caused a concussion, resulting in a rough conduct charge.
The pair of opponents were tangled with fellow Swan Caleb Mitchell in a contest, causing all three to hit the ground.
Johnson’s head hit the turf, and was in the hands of the trainers as he left the ground.
The tackle was graded careless, high contact and severe impact, meaning he will miss until at least the third week of finals if he accepts an early guilty plea.
Wicks was dropped to the VFL after the 112-point loss to Port Adelaide.
If the suspension is accepted, Wicks will be able to return to the field in preliminary final week if Sydney loses a qualifying final, or grand final week if Sydney wins in the opening week of finals.
Track watch: Young Roo justifying North’s draft gamble
Eyebrows were raised when North Melbourne paid a huge price to trade up for Matt Whitlock at the draft. But if his latest pre-season outing was any indication, it’s a gamble that is set to pay off. SEE FULL MATCH SIM NOTES.
AFLPA hits out at ‘name, shame and punish’ drugs system
The AFLPA has opposed a reported change to the AFL’s drugs testing system which it says would “name, shame and punish” players and reduce their anonymity.