AFL MRO news: Toby Nankervis sent to tribunal for high bump on Jake Lloyd

Richmond’s chances of challenging for the finals have taken a hit with co-captain Toby Nankervis facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines. Watch the incident and have your say.

Toby Nankervis of the Tigers looks on during the 2023 AFL Round 17 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 6, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Richmond will turn to big men Samson Ryan and Ivan Soldo to lead its ruck division without Toby Nankervis for at least the next three matches.

Nankervis will face the AFL tribunal next week after his late bump on Sydney Swan Jake Lloyd on Thursday night was graded careless conduct, high contact and severe impact.

It means Nankervis will face a minimum three matches on the sidelines after his shoulder ploughed into Lloyd’s chin in the Tigers’ 13-point win, ending the concussed Swan’s night.

Richmond’s coaches will next week discuss whether it is Ryan, 22, or Soldo, 27, will lead the ruck against the Eagles as the Tigers strive to keep their finals hopes alive.

Jake Lloyd after being collected high by Toby Nankervis. Picture: Michael Klein

But the club could also trial both options in a bid to get a clearer picture on their best set up for next season even though the Tigers remain in the hunt for a September berth, needing to win six of their last seven games.

Soldo has played only one game this season and could be recalled to face the bigger bodies and reignite a career which has stalled due to a foot injury this season.

He is contracted for one more year at Punt Rd and may attract trade interest at season’s end.

Ryan has been the preferred back-up this year along with versatile tall Ben Miller, leaving interim coach Andrew McQualter with an intriguing decision over the next few weeks.

Nankervis is headed to the tribunal. Picture: Getty Images

Ryan has more capacity to play forward, whereas Soldo is more adept at leading the ruck.

The pair were quiet in the VFL on Thursday night but will attempt to push their case on the training track next week ahead of an extended break before Sunday’s clash against West Coast in Perth.

Match review officer Michael Christian had little choice but to grade the Nankervis bump severe impact considering the way he cannoned into Lloyd after dishing off a handpass on Thursday night.

It was graded the same as Jordan De Goey’s hit on West Coast’s Elijah Hewett which also triggered a three-match ban at the AFL tribunal.

The Swans were upset the club lost one of its best defensive playmakers for the night against the Tigers and also the clash against Western Bulldogs due to concussion protocols.

Originally published as AFL MRO news: Toby Nankervis sent to tribunal for high bump on Jake Lloyd