Defender Ben Long will miss key final against Richmond after ban upheld

St Kilda has been dealt another significant blow, with defender Ben Long failing to overturn a suspension.

Richmond training at Metricon Stadium. 05/10/2020. Tom Lynch of the Tigers kicks at goal at training today. Pic: Michael Klein

St Kilda has been dealt another significant blow in the fallout from their victory over the Bulldogs in the opening week of the finals, with defender Ben Long failing to overturn a suspension on Monday night.

Long will join the injured Paddy Ryder and father-to-be Jake Carlisle as absentees from last Saturday’s winning side when they tackle Richmond in a sudden-death semi-final on Friday.

St Kilda challenged the one-match ban issued to Long for rough conduct for a bump that flattened Jack Macrae early in the elimination final at the Gabba.

After the Western Bulldogs medical staff reported Macrae suffered no issues from the bump, the Saints attempted to downgrade the charge based on impact.

It was argued the AFL Tribunal should not be sanctioning players on the potential for injury from an action. But their bid failed to convince the league judiciary.

Long had previously been suspended this season for three weeks for a bump on Docker Sean Darcy.

The Saints are considering an appeal. Without Long they will be forced to make three changes to take on the reigning premiers, who will be strengthened by the return of spearhead Tom Lynch.

Ryder was outstanding against the Western Bulldogs but injured a hamstring late in the club’s first finals win since 2010.

Carlisle has left the hub to join his partner Mel, who is in the latter stages of her pregnancy.

But he feels the Saints are more than capable of covering his absence, despite the suspension of Long requiring the Saints to source a second defender.

“I’m devastated to leave the guys. But I’ve got to go home and make the tough decision. As we all know, we do everything for family,” Carlisle said.

As detailed in The Australian on Saturday, St Kilda coach Brett Ratten decided to place his faith in a group of young defenders ahead of the season resumption in Round 2 against the Western Bulldogs.

It has proven a masterstroke, with the group playing a key role in driving the Saints to their first finals campaign since 2011.

They were able to restrict the Bulldogs to 64 points on Saturday in an elimination final.

But their consistency through the season has created an issue for the Saints given the lack of football played by those in line to replace Carlisle and Long.

Josh Battle, who is a versatile player, missed the elimination final with foot soreness.

At the time, St Kilda’s football manager Simon Lethlean said he would aim for a semi-final return and he will be monitored this week.

Former Magpie Jonathon Marsh has played five games this year, the most recent in Round 16 against Hawthorn.

Dylan Roberton was a nominee for All Australian selection in 2017 but missed the whole of last season with a heart complaint. His sole match this year came in Round 1 against the Kangaroos.

Shane Savage, a potential replacement for Long, has also had only one outing, against the Swans in Round 9. Luke Dunstan and Nick Hind are others who could come into the side.

The loss of Ryder is far from ideal given the form he displayed against the Bulldogs prior to the hamstring tendon injury.

The Saints won nine of the 14 games he featured in during 2020.

Ryder was absent when the Saints took on Richmond in Round 4, with Rowan Marshall rucking alone against Toby Nankervis, who played his best game for the season.

As with every coach, Ratten will be well aware of the matchwinning threat posed by Richmond champion Dustin Martin.

The Tiger was creative early against the Lions, but Brisbane were able to quell his influence.

The Saints, at least, have a clear option for Martin should the Brownlow Medallist move into attack in Callum Wilkie.

In their last two encounters, the one-time Adelaide accountant has held the Richmond superstar goalless during the 62 minutes they have spent opposed to each other.

Wilkie has been superb this season, winning 42 per cent of the one-on-one contests he has been involved in while neutralising a significant portion of the rest.

The challenge for Ratten will be weighing up whether it is more important to use his underrated star on the returning Lynch or triple-Coleman Medallist Jack Riewoldt.

Lynch trained well during a light session near Metricon Stadium on Monday consisting of goal kicking practice and touch work.