North Melbourne’s Paul Curtis is headed to the AFL Tribunal, after the goalsneak was given a three-match ban for a dangerous tackle on Port Adelaide’s Josh Sinn.
Curtis tackled Sinn from behind in the second quarter of the Kangaroos’ loss to the Power on Saturday, with Sinn shunted forward on impact with his head striking the ground.
The Power were awarded a free kick for a dangerous tackle, with Sinn quickly heading off and subbed out of the game after entering concussion protocols.
The incident was graded as careless conduct with high contact and severe impact owing to Sinn’s concussion by Match Review Officer Michael Christian, triggering a three-game ban.
However, the Kangaroos were seen as all but certain to take the suspension to the Tribunal, which the club confirmed on Monday morning, with precedent suggesting they have a strong case to overturn the ban.
Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield successfully challenged a suspension for a similar tackle on Carlton’s Sam Walsh last year, in which the Blue’s head was shunted forward into the turf, with the Cats captain arguing he did enough under his duty of care to try and prevent that from occurring.
Speaking on Fox Footy, Kangaroos great David King was adamant Curtis should have no case to answer, saying he had no other choice but to complete the tackle in this way.
“When you tackle from behind, you have to pin both arms,” he said.
“Bang! It’s over before it starts. I think he’ll take it to the Tribunal, and I think he’ll be cleared.”
Curtis has been a shining light in another difficult season for the Kangaroos, kicking 18 goals in seven games including three in the loss to the Power.
The Kangaroos are also challenging a fine handed to captain Jy Simpkin for instigating a third-quarter melee that involved former teammate Jason Horne-Francis.
Carlton, meanwhile, will need to challenge to have Adam Cerra available for their clash with Adelaide, after he was handed a one-match ban for an off-the-ball strike on Geelong’s Jack Bowes.
The incident was graded as intentional conduct with low impact and high contact to trigger the ban.
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