All-Australian defender Dan Houston is fighting to keep his season alive, while GWS defender Lachie Ash hopes to be cleared for Sunday’s mini-final, in tonight’s blockbuster Tribunal hearings. Live updates below!
In the night’s first hearing (from 4pm AEST), the Giants’ Lachie Ash is trying to overturn a ban for a dangerous tackle on Fremantle star Hayden Young.
The incident was graded as careless with medium impact and high contact, resulting in a one-game suspension which sees Ash currently unavailable for the game against the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat.
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The Giants’ argument will be based on Ash leaving one of Young’s arms free, arguing it showed a duty of care.
Houston, Ash head to AFL Tribunal | 01:59
In the night’s second hearing, Port Adelaide defender Dan Houston will face the music for a huge collision which concussed Adelaide superstar Izak Rankine, ending his Showdown and season.
The incident was graded as careless with high contact and severe impact.
The AFL are expected to ask for a five-week ban as a minimum, with Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks reportedly describing the hit as a “f***ing dog act” to opposing coach Ken Hinkley on the field.
Hinkley described Houston as a “really fair player” and the Power are likely to argue the point of contact was not Rankine’s head, but his chest – with the concussion seemingly coming from the whiplash and the contact with the ground.
With the Power set to finish in the top four, a five-week ban would end Houston’s season – and potentially his time at the club, given his interest in being traded to Victoria.
A four-week ban could see him available for a Grand Final, but only if the Power lose their qualifying final and then progress to the flag decider.
Follow live updates from David Zita below!
Source Agencies
