North Melbourne young gun Paul Curtis is likely to face scrutiny from the MRO, after his tackle on Port Adelaide’s Josh Sinn resulted in a concussion for the young defender.
The 22-year-old forward laid a tackle on his Power rival early in the second quarter yesterday at Adelaide Oval, which saw Sinn fall face-first into the ground and eventually subbed out of his side’s win.
It took Sinn approximately 40 seconds to get up off the turf and jog to the interchange under the care of trainers, evidently in a lot of pain.
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Fox Footy’s Super Saturday Live panel broke down the potential outcome for Curtis from the incident, which could result in a three-game ban.
“You’ll see Paul Curtis drag down Josh Sinn from behind him, and topple him forward — you see the momentum carry him forward,” Fox Footy reporter Jay Clark explained.
“I think it could (and) will be a three-match suspension … it’s a concussion, we treat them as severe brain injuries now. There have been some really interesting precedents over the last 12 months.
Clark went on to reference a somewhat similar tackle from Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield in Round 15 last year, where the eight-time All-Australian was initially given a one-week suspension, before successfully appealing at the Tribunal. GWS gun Toby Bedford was also successful with an appeal for a comparable tackle on Richmond’s Tim Taranto.
“That’s Sam Walsh (being tackled). Patty Dangerfield was able to successfully argue that he tried to look after Walsh, and almost pull him back and slide underneath,” Clark continued.
“Likewise, (Toby) Bedford ended up getting out of this one — he was cleared to play the following week.
“History says that if they take this to the tribunal North Melbourne, they will be able to get him clear. It’s just depending on two key factors, does he pin the arms?”
Dual Kangaroos premiership player David King jumped in, saying: “You have to (pin the arms), when you tackle from behind, you have to pin both arms … that’s unrealistic to expect a player to do all of this in this instance.
“Bang! It’s over before it starts. I think he’ll take it to the Tribunal, and I think he’ll be cleared.”
Clark laid bare the guidelines that Match Review Officer Michael Christian will be working within when determining his potential suspension, which on face value may not work in Curtis’ favour.
“Does he give him a duty of care? No … The second (factor), is there excessive force? Well there is significant force, you can see he piles forward and smashes (Sinn’s) head, and he’s out concussed.
“I think he’s in trouble Paul Curtis, and then it becomes a tribunal argument.”
Curtis has been arguably the Roos’ best player so far this season, having kicked 18 goals across his first seven games, including three on Saturday against Port Adelaide.
North Melbourne play Essendon, Brisbane and Richmond across their next three matches, kicking off against the Bombers this upcoming Thursday night at Marvel Stadium.
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