Captain ruled out of blockbuster after gamble

Bombers skipper Zach Merrett has been rubbed out of the Anzac Day clash against the Magpies after failing to have a ban overturned at the tribunal.

Merrett was offered the ban from the match review officer, who slapped him with a rough conduct charge for a tackle on Demons Tom Sparrow late in the final quarter of their Gather Round clash at the Adelaide Oval.

Merrett explained he attempted a normal tackle, but Sparrow's "sidestep" threw him off balance, meaning he couldn't affect the tackle as normal.

Essendon challenged the rough conduct charge, and also argued the impact should be graded low instead of medium.

St Kilda's Anthony Caminiti was referred straight to the tribunal for striking Collingwood's Nathan Murphy, while fellow Magpie Taylor Adams will also face the tribunal for a dangerous tackle on St Kilda's Sebastian Ross.

MORE TO COME

Bombers captain Zach Merrett. Inset: tackle on Tom Sparrow

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