‘Very remorseful’ Hawk Conor Nash learns fate for Gryan Miers strike

Hawthorn star Conor Nash has been handed his punishment over his shocking Easter Monday act against Geelong at the MCG.

Hawthorn’s Conor Nash has been hit with a four-game ban for his sickening Easter Monday hit on Geelong star Gryan Miers.

The 26-year-old Irishman was referred straight to the Tribunal for the shocking moment, with his swinging arm graded careless conduct, severe impact and high contact.

The AFL was seeking at least a four-match sanction, while the Hawks were hoping for a three-game suspension for an incident they described as “not a dirty act” and a “football act” gone wrong during the hearing.

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Miers was left in an awful state after the third quarter incident, needing help from two trainers to leave the ground during Geelong’s victory in the MCG blockbuster.

With the Cats leading by 12 points in front of a huge 88,746-strong crowd, Miers took possession of the footy right before Nash swung his right arm and collected the star Cat directly in the face.

Watch the incident in the video player above

Gryan Miers is helped from the ground after being cleaned up by Conor Nash. Picture: Michael Klein

Fox Footy‘s David Zita, who was reporting from the Tribunal on X, quoted a “very remorseful” Nash as he gave evidence at the hearing.

“I saw a player, didn’t know who it was, coming through to grab the footy and I simply try to tap the ball, knock it free with my arm,” Nash said.

“I just want to express with deep regret what happened to Gryan.

“I’m very remorseful for the incident. I was simply trying to make a play on the ball and I just got it badly wrong.”

Hawthorn’s pleas ultimately fell on deaf ears and Nash will miss matches against the Eagles, Tigers, Demons and Suns, with his first availability coming against the Lions on May 24.

Nash has been suspended for the crude hit. Photos: Fox Sports

The Tribunal released a long statement after the hearing explaining its decision.

“We find the degree of carelessness here was significant,” it read in part.

“The ball was in contest among a relatively tight cluster of players.

“Nash was to the side of and slightly behind Miers, and Miers had no view of Nash as he attempted to collect the ball. The ball was at approximately head height.

“While Nash had eyes for the football, he had his arm on Miers’ back prior to impact, and must be taken to have been aware of the approximate position of Miers’ body and head.

“Nash gave evidence that he was attempting to knock the ball forward, but the angle with which he swung his arm, the elevation at which he swung his arm, and the force with which he swung his arm meant that it was all but inevitable that he was going to make forceful contact with Miers’ head.

“In any event, force of impact was considerable.”

Nash looks on as Miers receives medical attention. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The statement added: “Miers was knocked off his feet and stayed down for an extended period.

“He suffered a concussion and there was the potential for a facial injury given the nature and force of the impact.

“We have some difficulty in understanding how Nash got it so wrong here.”

Hawks coach Sam Mitchell was asked about the moment on Fox Footy after Monday’s game and understood he was likely to be without his midfielder for some period.

“I saw it live obviously and as soon as I saw (Miers) was taken off with concussion then you recognise that that’s probably going to be a report and an MRO,” he said.

“My thoughts firstly go to Gryan, no one wants to see that concussion in the game.

“Nashy doesn’t have a reputation for anything like that so I’m sure that’s not what his intention was … I’ll leave it for the MRO.”

The Tribunal was blunt in its findings for Nash (right). (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The commentators and those watching on reacted straight after the hit.

“There’s a real high one that’s knocked the stuffing out of the Cat on the ground,” Matt Hill said on Fox Footy.

“It’s Miers.”

David King added: “Oh gee. He’s out. He’s out.”

Miers stayed on the ground for a long period before slowly being helped to his feet and taken from the ground with the help of the trainers.

“He is a man that’s in trouble, big time,” Jason Dunstall added of Nash.

“You just can’t have swinging arms like that and we’ve seen it in recent times.”

Jon Ralph reported on Fox Footy after the game Nash was looking at a minimum three-week suspension from the tribunal.

Nash will now have an extended period on the sidelines. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)

King felt the discussion around possible red card send-offs in the AFL would roar back onto the agenda after the incident.

“The ramifications for this match are huge and the conversation will begin again about red cards and all sorts of things,” the North Melbourne champion said.

“Gryan Miers has set up five scores for the Cats, he’s their most creative half-forward, particularly with ball in hand.

“We see him getting to his feet, he’s wobbling, and that’s the last time we’ll see Gryan Miers for the day so it’s a big hole for Christ Scott to fill.”

Mitchell will now need to find a replacement for Nash, while Miers is also set for a stint on the sidelines as he recovers from the heavy hit.

Originally published as ‘Very remorseful’ Hawk Conor Nash learns fate for Gryan Miers strike