Glenorchy midfielder accepts three match ban for high hit in Pies loss to Lauderdale last weekend

Glenorchy’s hopes of opening it’s account in the Tasmanian State League have taken a hit with Ryan Banks-Smith to miss the next three games through suspension. Details of the incident that sent him down >>

Glenorchy’s Ryan Banks-Smith (right) battled with Lauderdale’s Josh McGuinness Lauderdale on the weekend. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

• Bombers edge Pies in hard fought scrap
• Glenorchy won’t risk prized asset

ALREADY decimated by injury, Glenorchy’s midfield stocks have taken another blow with Ryan Banks-Smith set for a stint on the sidelines through suspension.

The Pies, who have started the TSL season 0-2 ahead of this weekend’s clash with Clarence, lost 2019 best and fairest Ben Kamaric (hamstring) and John Geard (knee) in the loss to Lauderdale last Saturday.

Compounding the defeat is the unavailability of Banks-Smith for the next three matches after he was suspended by the Match Review Tribunal.

Banks-Smith, tipped to elevate his game to another level in 2020, was rubbed out for a hit during the last quarter on Bomber Mitch Anderton which left his former state under-18 teammate dazed.

Ryan Banks-Smith has accepted a three week suspension. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

The Pie was reported on the spot for charging, with the MRP assessing the incident as intentional, with high impact and high contact.

He was offered a base sanction of four matches, reduced to three matches with an early guilty plea which was accepted.

Glenorchy will now be sweating on star Jaye Bowden’s hamstring to help fill the void, with the club great missing the first two matches.

Daniel Joseph continues to build match fitness in the development league after missing all of last year with an ACL injury, while skipper Brayden Webb is still some time away from his own serious knee injury.

Banks-Smith was cleared of another charge of making contact to the stomach of Phil Bellchambers.

Competition leading goalkicker Toutai Havea is free for the Bombers’ clash with North Hobart after accepting a reprimand for striking.

The powerful Tongan, who has kicked six goals in the opening two games on his return to the club, was reported for striking Pies skipper Josh Arnold.

The MRP determined the strike was intentional, with low impact to the body, with Havea’s early guilty plea reducing the base sanction of one match down to a reprimand.

Launceston’s Jobi Harper accepted an early guilty plea to reduce his one week suspension to a reprimand. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Launceston’s Jobi Harper has also had a one match ban for making careless contact with an umpire reduced to a low-level reprimand after accepting an early guilty plea.

In the TSLW, Kartley Broad (North Launceston) was offered a two-match ban, reduced to one with an early plea, for making high contact against Launceston’s Daria Bannister.

Broad has until 8pm Monday July 20 to accept or reject the offer.

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