Sydney Swans star facing monster ban over ugly swinging arm strike

A Sydney Swans defender is staring down the barrel of a lengthy suspension following a nasty strike to the face of an opponent.

Sydney Swans defender Lewis Melican could be facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines after a swinging arm strike on Giants livewire Toby Bedford.

Melican caught Bedford in the face with his fist as he swung his right arm in a contest during the second quarter at the SCG.

The force of the strike left Bedford clutching his face on the turf and saw him come from the ground immediately with blood coming from his eye.

Bedford was ultimately subbed out of the contest at halftime and was seen in the second half sporting a rather nasty black eye.

The incident is likely to be graded as a strike with careless conduct, high contact and either high or severe impact. It would then mean a ban of two or more weeks awaits.

Watch the nasty incident in the video player above

“Looking at the outcome and what has happened with Bedford and that eye, leaning towards three weeks,” Western Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson said on Fox Footy.

Melican collects Bedford high. Photo by Phil Hillyard

Bedford was subbed out following the incident. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

While many believe the AFL’s Match Review Officer could throw the book at Melican, Swans coach Dean Cox said the defender’s “immaculate” record must be taken into account.

“I’ve only seen it briefly. I understand that it’ll go through the AFL and the tribunal. Obviously we hope Toby is okay,” he said.

“Lewis has probably got an immaculate record (at the tribunal). The way he plays his footy, he isn’t malicious.

“He’s always been a ball player and that’s why we love having him at our footy club. That will play out in the next couple of days.

“You want to back your players in playing at a level that doesn’t overstep the mark.”

Bedford after the contest. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Cox is hopeful Melican’s good record will play a part. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

GWS coach Adam Kingsley confirmed Bedford’s eye bore the brunt of the collision, but wouldn’t be drawn in to comment on the challenge from Melican.

“He seems okay. He’s just got really blurred vision. He can’t see out of that eye at all,” Kingsley said.

“We had to make the sub at halftime which was quite disappointing for us.

“I didn’t really see it and I haven’t watched the replay, so it’s not really fair for me to make comment.”

- with Sean Teuma, Newswire

Originally published as Sydney Swans star facing monster ban over ugly swinging arm strike