Western Bulldogs newcomer James Harmes has received a suspension for headbutting former teammate Steven May during Sunday’s match against Melbourne, with the AFL’s Match Review Officer citing seven players from the final three games of Round 1.
The incident involving Harmes occurred in the fourth quarter of the Bulldogs’ loss to the Demons, where Harmes made high contact with May using his head away from the ball.
The action of the former Demon has been classified as intentional conduct, resulting in a one-game suspension due to low impact and high contact.
Harmes has the option to accept the charge and miss the Bulldogs’ Round 2 game against the Gold Coast Suns or contest the MRO’s decision at the AFL Tribunal, hoping to be cleared to play.
A decision regarding whether the club will challenge the charge will be made on Tuesday.
Apart from Harmes, James Sicily from Hawthorn (for kicking), Mason Redman from Essendon (for striking), and Malcolm Rosas from Gold Coast (for headbutting or contact using head) have also received suspensions for incidents in Round 1. Sicily intends to dispute his suspension at the AFL Tribunal this week.
Additionally, No.1 draft pick Harley Reid has been charged with careless contact with an umpire. He, along with teammate Jack Petruccelle and Ollie Wines from Port Adelaide, can each accept $1250 fines for the same charge.
Eagle Elliot Yeo has been charged with tripping and has the option to accept a $1250 fine with an early guilty plea.
Fremantle duo Michael Walters (for tripping) and Matthew Johnson (for rough conduct) can also accept reduced fines of $1250 and $2500 respectively with early pleas.
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