Match Review Panel: Lindsay Thomas offered one-week ban for coathanger tackle

KANGAROOS forward Lindsay Thomas has been offered a one-match ban for his crude high tackle on Bulldog Lachie Hunter. See the full match review panel verdict.

A shaken Lachie Hunter after being tackled high by Lindsay Thomas. Picture: Michael Klein

NORTH Melbourne small forward Lindsay Thomas is set to miss Sunday’s clash against St Kilda for the clothesline tackle that hospitalised young Western Bulldog Lachie Hunter.

Thomas was served a two-match ban which can be downgraded to one game with an early guilty plea.

Thomas’s crude tackle made hard contact to Hunter’s jaw and dangerously dragged the young midfielder’s head and neck down towards the turf.

Hunter was taken to hospital on Sunday night with delayed concussion symptoms.

Bulldogs football manager Graham Lowe said Hunter’s condition will be assessed before Saturday night’s clash against Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.

“Lachie showed some signs of delayed concussion post-game,” Lowe said.

“He was cleared to go home, but in consultation with the club doctors he went into hospital for further observation which he came through well, he was released a couple of hours later.

“He presented to the club well the next day (Saturday) and also today, and we’ll put him through the appropriate battery of tests to confirm that he is fit and available to be selected this week.”

Dogs’ midfielder Tom Liberatore also suffered a corked leg in the loss to North Melbourne but is expected to take on the Crows.

The match review panel yesterday classified the Thomas tackle as careless contact, with medium impact to the head.

The Roos will also be missing hard-nut forward Kayne Turner, with an injured hamstring, as they attempt to notch a seventh-straight win at the weekend.

It is the Kangas’ best start to a season since 1979.

Hawks pair Luke Hodge and Ben Stratton were cleared for their part in incidents against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday.

Originally published as Match Review Panel: Lindsay Thomas offered one-week ban for coathanger tackle