AFL MRO round 10 findings: Joel Amartey, Justin McInerney suspended for bumps
Sydney’s pressure-releasing win over Carlton has come at a cost with two important players facing suspensions — including one for the second time this year.
AFL
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The Swans will be without key forward Joel Amartey for three weeks after he was charged with rough conduct for a bump that left Carlton’s Jordan Boyd concussed.
Dean Cox’s side had all but wrapped up their win in the final term when Amartey looked to bump Boyd with barely two minutes remaining of the match. Boyd immediately fell to the ground and had to be assisted by trainers from the field.
In the post-match press conference, Michael Voss confirmed that Boyd would enter concussion protocols following the incident, meaning the match review officer had to grade the impact as severe.
Amartey’s contact was graded as careless conduct, severe impact and high contact. As a result, he will face a three-match suspension and miss matches against Melbourne, Adelaide and Richmond.
The game was Amartey’s first in five weeks after being subbed out of Sydney’s Gather Round clash with a hamstring strain.
It was a double blow for the Swans with Justin McInerney also set to miss next week’s clash against the Demons at the MCG.
McInerney was cited for a bump on Jack Silvagni, collecting the Carlton defender high in the second quarter. It’s McInerney’s second suspension of the year after he served a three-week ban for bumping Brisbane’s Brandon Starcevich.
The Swans will have to make at least three changes for the Melbourne clash, with Aaron Francis entering concussion protocols after he was subbed out of the Carlton clash in the first half. It’s Francis’ second concussion for the season after he suffered a head knock during a VFL practice match in March.
Thankfully for Cox, he will have some cavalry to call on with captain Callum Mills and experienced midfielder Taylor Adams both impressing in their VFL loss to the Blues.
Hayden McLean is also in the frame to return after being dropped for the Carlton clash. He was unable to kick a goal in his VFL stint but will likely lead the Swans’ forward line alongside Joel Hamling in Amartey’s absence.
Originally published as AFL MRO round 10 findings: Joel Amartey, Justin McInerney suspended for bumps
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