Hawthorn has revealed its decision to challenge James Sicily’s one-game suspension for kicking at the AFL Tribunal, with a footy great declaring there’s a “tax” on the Hawks skipper.
Match Review Officer Michael Christian elected to ban Sicily following his questionable act on Saturday afternoon during the Round 1 Essendon-Hawthorn clash at the MCG.
The 135-gamer was slapped with the one-match sanction after a kick committed against Essendon’s Andrew McGrath was deemed intentional conduct, medium impact and body contact.
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However, on Monday, the Hawks signalled their intention to challenge the MRO’s ruling, with a Tuesday night AFL Tribunal hearing set to settle the matter.
“I don’t know if this is really worth a week,” Saints great Leigh Montagna told Fox Footy’s First Crack on Sunday evening.
“I think there’s a little bit of ‘James Sicily tax’ in that.
“It’s a sweeping little brush to his thigh, I don’t think that deserves a week. I think (it’s) because it’s James Sicily.”
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McGrath, the victim of Sicily’s kick, spoke to SEN on Monday morning about the incident.
“It was pretty innocuous, I think,” started McGrath.
“A few of us got into (Sicily) a little bit after ‘Guelf’ (Bombers forward Matt Guelfi) kicked the first goal on him, and it was one of those heat-of-the-moment things.
“I didn’t even really realise that he put his foot into the back of me, which sort of suggests how severe the kick was — not very at all. But I guess they’re stamping that out of the game, and we’ll see where that lands.”
Asked by Collingwood great Nathan Buckley if he would have a part to play in the upcoming Tribunal hearing, McGrath outlined how he’d go about it if called upon.
“I’m not too sure, ‘Bucks’. After any incident, our club doctor calls us to see if there’s any medical ramifications or if there’s any soreness. My report to him was there’s nothing,” he said.
“I’ve got no bruise, no nothing, so hopefully that stands up in the appeal if there is one. But I’m not too sure how that (process) works.”
McGrath was quizzed about Essendon’s plans to stem Sicily’s influence last Saturday, explaining the role Guelfi and the team played in quelling Hawthorn’s leader.
“Obviously, James is a quality player, he’s super important to the way they play, and I think every team scouts the opposition really thoroughly and figrues out (who) their key movers (are) and what makes them tick,” McGrath said.
“‘Guelf’ had a role on Sicily on the day and did a superb job, but we all feel responsible for helping him out in that role, and if that means getting under his skin a little bit, that’s kind of the way footy goes — as you guys know very well.”
In other MRO news, Essendon’s Mason Redman was suspended one game for a strike on Hawthorn’s Jai Newcombe — a charge the Bombers have since accepted — and Gold Coast forward Malcolm Rosas can accept a one-match ban for headbutting Adelaide’s Max Michalanney on Saturday night.
Redman will miss Essendon’s Round 2 bout with the Swans in Sydney, while, as things presently stand, Sicily will miss Hawthorn’s clash with Melbourne and Rosas will be sidelined for Suns-Bulldogs.
Meanwhile Bulldogs recruit James Harmes has been handed a one-match ban by the match review officer for headbutting ex-teammate Steven May.
The incident was graded as intentional conduct, low impact and high contact.
Harmes tried to take on Jack Billings but was pinged for holding the ball, before Melbourne defender Steven May came in to remonstrate.
Tempers flared between the former teammates as Harmes lost his cool, pushing his head towards May’s.
May was seen signalling to the umpire immediately afterwards that Harmes had made contact with his head.
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