‘One week holiday’ tipped for Zac Williams’ first act as a Carlton player

It was just 10 seconds into his tenure at the Carlton Blues but fans believe Zac Williams has already found himself in a spot of bother.

It was just 10 seconds into the AAMI Community Series and already new Carlton recruit Zac Williams could be in trouble.

After a whistle blew almost as quickly as it took the ball to come back to earth from the first bounce, St Kilda kicked out of the centre square with St Kilda’s Hunter Clark hit with a high but relatively glancing blow after he kicked the ball.

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It was a free kick but the Saints played on and set up the first goal within the first 30 seconds.

But the hit didn’t escape the view of the commentators, or the AFL with the league’s social media asking “Will Carlton’s new recruit Zac Williams face scrutiny for this incident?”

Three-time premiership winner Jonathan Brown was quick to notice the hit as well.

“Oh, geez, I think he’s in a bit of trouble there, Johnathan Brown said in the commentary box.

Clark stayed on the turf but jumped up before being checked out by St Kilda medical staff.

He was soon back on the field after being cleared.

St Kilda went on to win the game 19.11 (125) to 15.9 (99) over Carlton in a largely inconsequential match in the final hitout before the start of the AFL season.

It looked pretty ugly but Clark got back to his feet.

But while Clark was fine, Williams might be watching what would have been his first game in the AFL for the Blues from the stands with social media believing it’s the type of incident that will get a week from the AFL Tribunal.

I'd suggest Zac Williams is looking at a one-week holiday #supercoach

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) March 4, 2021

Zac Williams enjoy Rd 1 off. #AAMISeries

— James Mottershead (@mottersjames) March 4, 2021

The Tribunal has form with the decision with Essendon’s Dylan Shiel getting a two-week ban last season, while St Kilda's Ben Long was wiped out of the semi-final against Richmond with rough contact that caught Western Bulldogs star Jack Macrae high.

But post match, Fox Sports’ Tom Morris said he put it through the matrix and it would be a fine for “careless, low, high contact” especially since Clark got back to his feet.

Brown said that if Clark didn’t get up that Williams “would be doing a couple of weeks”.

But vision after showed that Clark was wobbly as he got to his feet.

Garry Lyon said: “With the conversation around concussion now, that is the last thing you’d be wanting to do. If he got a week for it, it wouldn’t worry me one bit. I don’t think they will but it wouldn’t worry me — jump off the ground make head high contact, it’s almost worth a week.”

Riewoldt said that the matrix is there for a reason but Lyon added that delayed concussion should also come into consideration.

Brown said the league wouldn’t be happy with a stumbling effect as Clark went to pick up his headband.

“I reckon it’s 50-50,” he said. “They could see an opportunity to warn all the players in the competition.”

Williams next touches were a lot better as he had 10 disposals and two goals in the opening two quarters.

He finished the game with 2.2 and 17 disposals.

Williams joined the Blues on a reported six-year deal worth close to $900,00 a year.