Swans stalwart escapes ban for high contact on Power star

A Sydney Swans veteran has learned his grand final fate after his high shot on Port Adelaide star Zak Butters at the SCG.

Dane Rampe collides with Zak Butters.

Swans veteran Dane Rampe has avoided suspension ahead of his fourth AFL grand final next Saturday, with his hit on Power star Zak Butters resulting only in a fine.

Rampe, who captained the Swans in the absence of injured skipper Callum Mills, played a crucial role in Sydney’s comprehensive preliminary final win over Port Adelaide on Friday night.

But a first-quarter incident involving Rampe and Port Adelaide star Zak Butters sent a scare through the Swans camp.

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As Butters handballed on the wing, Rampe made contact with the Power midfielder while in mid-air.

Rampe’s hit was graded careless, low impact and high contact, resulting in a $3,750 fine, which will be reduced to a $2,500 sum with an early plea.

Speaking on Fox Footy at halftime on Friday night, Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph indicated Rampe had to be guilty of “forceful high contact” to be suspended for the grand final, but indicated “I just don’t think it meets the threshold”.

Rampe and Butters after the hit. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I think the AFL would be very likely look at it and potentially fine him, but most of that contact is to the collarbone,” Ralph told Fox Footy.

“Even if it is categorised as high contract – which can be the head and the neck – Butters getting up clearly helps his case.

“I think it’s more of a glancing blow than forceful high contact. So I think it’s more likely a fine and we move on.”

Speaking to ABC Sport post-game, the veteran Swan had no concerns with the incident – and even suggested that Butters threw his head back amid the contact.

Isaac Heeney and Dane Rampe of the Swans are chaired off after their milestone matches. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/Getty Images

Rampe finished with 14 disposals and three intercept marks while going at 75 per cent efficiency by foot against the Power.

“I’m super proud. I’m a little bit lost for words, to be honest,” Rampe said post-match.

“I’m so grateful to the club for taking a chance on me and we get to go to The Big Dance again.

“It’s eluded us the last couple of times, but we’re back in the ring – and that’s what you want to be doing as a club.”

The Swans will take on either Geelong or Brisbane in the grand final next week.

Originally published as Swans stalwart escapes ban for high contact on Power star