Port Adelaide star Sam Powell-Pepper in trouble over huge bump

With concussions again in the spotlight, an AFL player made an extraordinary decision in a practice match in Adelaide.

On Thursday, popular AFL player Angus Brayshaw was forced to retire at the age of just 28 due to repeated concussions.

Barely 24 hours later, Port Adelaide’s Sam Powell-Pepper opted to bump an opponent and instigate a sickening collision in, of all contests, an AFL practice match.

The only place to watch every game of the AFL Pre-Season live is Fox Footy, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

Adelaide’s Mark Keane was being slung in a tackle from Port’s Willie Rioli in the first quarter at Alberton Oval when Powell-Pepper – recently elevated to the club’s leadership group – made the decision to step in.

Setting his 96kg frame, the burly midfielder appeared to land his shoulder flush on the right side of Keane’s head.

The 23-year-old Crow immediately crumpled to the ground and looked very worse for wear, helped from the ground with the aid of two trainers.

The bump itself, once a staple of AFL matches, has just about been outlawed, while any contact with the head will lead to a certain inquisition from the Match Review Panel.

Mark Keane collapses after being hit by Port’s Sam Powell-Pepper. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

With concussion in the spotlight once more after Brayshaw’s sad retirement, Powell-Pepper is sure to face intense scrutiny.

“Sam Powell-Pepper taking the absolute piss, one day after another player had to retire from AFL due to concussion,” was the caption on one post of the incident on X.

“Oh boy. Powell-Pepper has the chance to tackle. He plants his feet and knocks his opponent into next week. Ignores everything the AFL is asking players to consider about duty of care,” wrote journalist Jon Ralph on X.

The response to the incident was swift and damning as speculation swirled about a possible suspension for the 26-year-old, less than two weeks out from the start of the season.

“Enjoy a couple of weeks off Sam,” was one comment.

“If they are serious that’s 6 weeks,” wrote another.

Keane took no further part in the match. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Adding a little salt into the wound was the reported commentary of recently retired Port skipper Tom Jonas.

As Keane was helped from the field, Jonas said: “Didn’t look a lot in it, just Sam Powell-Pepper attacking the ball.”

Even for a former teammate, that is a hell of a stretch if true, as Powell-Pepper clearly had zero interest in the ball.

Powell-Pepper will miss first 3, minimum.

— Mark Stevens (@StevoMedia) February 23, 2024

Just saw the Sam Powell-Pepper incident. Really, Sam? In a practice match? Fkn thug. Enjoy the holiday.

— LachlanB_ 🌏✈️🏈🏏❤️💙 (@LachlanB_) February 23, 2024

In another major stretch of reality, others attempted to suggest the sling tackle had been the source of the incident.

“Are we going to ignore the tackle literally causing this,” was one comment.

“Tackler threw him around at a horrible time. Doesn’t look nice, but hard to place sole blame on SPP,” wrote another.

Regardless of the moments leading up to the hit, Powell-Pepper made the choice to set himself and connect with Keane’s head, ruling him out of the game with concussion.

There seems little doubt Powell-Pepper can start planning for a delayed start to his 2024 campaign.

In terms of the score, the teams were locked at 14.9 (93) apiece after four 28-minute quarters before the club’s younger and SANFL players took to the field for two quarters.

After the six quarters, Port claimed a 21.12 (138) to 17.14 (116) win.