The AFL tribunal has taken a stand against head-high contact, suspending Essendon forward Peter Wright for four weeks for his high bump on Sydney defender Harry Cunningham.
Wright was referred directly to the tribunal after collecting Cunningham high during the Bombers' 30-point loss to the Swans on Saturday night, leaving Cunningham concussed.
Minutes into the match at the SCG, Cunningham ran backward to take a mark and Wright rushed in to spoil, and the pair collided.
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As Wright jumped to contest the mark, his shoulder struck Cunningham's head.
Match review officer Michael Christian deemed Wright's hit to be careless conduct with severe impact and high contact.
The tribunal's decision follows heated debate around Wright's intentions to mark the ball as he appeared to turn his body mid-air and brace to bump.
During the hearing, Wright pleaded guilty to all aspects of the charge, as the AFL campaigned for a ban of "no less than four matches".
Essendon petitioned for a three-match ban.
After 24 minutes of deliberations, a verdict was reached.
A physio report submitted by the Bombers' representation stated that Wright suffered a significant injury to his right shoulder in March 2023.
Thus, it was implied that it was not unreasonable for Wright to take steps to protect his shoulder in the collision, even if it was by completing the wrong action.
Essendon's lawyer Ben Ihle stated that because Wright had put his previously injured shoulder at risk, it proved that he was making some attempt to minimise the impact on Cunningham.
Ihle also argued that Wright attempted to reduce the contact by turning his body to make front-on, body-to-body contact rather than shoulder-to-head contact.
However, the AFL's lawyer, Nick Pane, contended that this reasoning did not justify the way Wright left the ground to contest the mark.
Ihle also labelled the kick before the incident as a "dodgy floater", which set up the collision.
Both parties argued that Wright was not entitled to contest the ball.
MORE TO COME.
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