North Melbourne forward Paul Curtis has been suspended for the second time this season, this time for an off-the-ball strike on St Kilda’s Angus Hastie last Sunday.
Meanwhile, Geelong star Tom Stewart has avoided a ban for flying smother attempt on Port Adelaide’s Ollie Wines — instead fined for the act.
Curtis’ act was assessed by the Match Review Officer as intentional conduct, high contact and low impact, resulting in a one-game ban — meaning he’s set to miss this weekend’s clash with GWS, pending any Tribunal appeal.
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Behind-the-goals vision aired on Fox Footy showed Curtis appearing to lash out at Hastie right on the quarter-time siren, with the hit causing tempers to fray.
As North star Nick Larkey lined up for a shot on goal, Curtis and Hastie could be seen coming together near the goal line, with what followed leaving Hastie clutching at his throat.
Confirmation came after the quarter time break that Curtis had been reported for striking.
“The fact it’s behind the play – these things are usually graded as intentional,” Fox Sports’ David Zita explained.
“So that will already lower the threshold for what the impact has to be for this to be a one-match ban.
“We know the AFL doesn’t like this – behind the ball shots at other player.”
It’s not the first time this season Curtis has drawn the ire of the MRO, after his controversial three-match ban for a dangerous tackle back in April.
“Paul Curtis had that dangerous tackle ban that had North Melbourne fans up in arms – this one is purely of his own doing,” Zita said.
“He’s put himself on the MRO’s radar … open hand or no, striking charges they are certainly something the AFL wants to get out of the game. It’s something that didn’t need to happen.”
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At GMHBA Stadium, Stewart left the ground in an attempt to smother Wines’ handball, clattering into the Brownlow medallist and leaving him grounded.
The five-time All-Australian can be seen bracing for impact mid-air, but it’s his hip that makes contact with Wines.
The Power midfielder was thankfully able to play out the game, with Michael Christian judging the incident as careless conduct, low impact and high contact — resulting in a $2,000 fine, meaning he’s free to play Essendon on Friday night.
Elsewhere, North Melbourne forward Cam Zurhaar has escaped sanction for an act against Saints ruckman Rowan Marshall.
The MRO released the following statement regarding its call not to sanction the Roo: “The incident involving North Melbourne’s Cameron Zurhaar and St Kilda’s Rowan Marshall from the Second Quarter of Sunday’s match was assessed. Based on the evidence available it was the view of the MRO that Zurhaar makes negligible high contact (if any) with Marshall in the contest. No further action was taken.”
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