Richmond defender Rhyan Mansell charged with striking, suspended for one match

Richmond defender Rhyan Mansell has been charged with striking Collingwood‘s Jack Ginnivan during Saturday’s clash at the MCG.

Richmond defender Rhyan Mansell has been charged with striking Collingwood young gun Jack Ginnivan during Saturday afternoon’s clash at the MCG.

Late in the third quarter of the Round 8 contest, Ginnivan attempted to pick up the footy before Mansell landed on his back.

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As the siren sounded for three-quarter time, Mansell appeared to thrust his forearm into the back of Ginnivan’s head on two occasions, sparking a brief melee among the players.

“A double forearm to the back of the head,” Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall said on Fox Footy.

“He’ll cop a fine or a week for that – probably a fine because it was low impact. But maybe there could be an option to pay a free kick after the siren.”

St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt continued: “Mansell comes over the top with the one elbow, goes again a second time – which is pretty poor form.”

On Sunday, the AFL confirmed that Mansell had received a one-match suspension following an investigation from the Match Review Officer.

“Based on the available evidence, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct, low impact, high contact,” the AFL said in a statement.

“The incident was classified as a one-match sanction as a first offence. The player can accept a one-match sanction with an early plea.”

Mansell will subsequently miss next weekend’s match against Hawthorn.

Would have loved to hear the commentators condemn this far more strongly. More needs to be done to stop footy players thinking it’s ok to hit someone in the head as a tough act, and stop fans celebrating them for it. #AFLTigersPieshttps://t.co/SLR1EFZPuX

— Shana Morgan (@shana_morgan) May 7, 2022

Geez the #Richmond defenders must feel super tough getting into a teenager #AFLTigersPies#Ginnivan

— Paul Johnson (@pjohnson_sports) May 7, 2022

That was a cheap shot from Rhyan Mansell on Jack Ginnivan. Nothing tough about that

— Marc McGowan 🗣✍️👨🏻‍💻📰 (@ByMarcMcGowan) May 7, 2022

Speaking to reporters in the post-match press conference, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick insisted he did not see the incident, denying that Ginnivan had been unfairly targeted during the 27-point victory.

“End of the day, I didn‘t notice it compared to any other player, but we want our small backs to be physical and like most other backs in the AFL they’d be doing exactly the same,” he said.

Richmond will next face the Hawthorn Hawks at the MCG on Saturday, May 14, with the first bounce scheduled for 1.45pm AEST.