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ABC News
18 hours ago
- Sport
- ABC News
AFL star Tom Lynch banned for five weeks over 'bygone era' hit on Jordon Butts
Richmond forward Tom Lynch has been suspended for five matches for a strike described by the AFL as a throwback to a "bygone era". The 32-year-old's ban is the longest this season, eclipsing the four-game stretch handed to Hawthorn's Conor Nash in April for striking. Lynch failed to convince the AFL tribunal on Tuesday night to reduce the grading of the impact of his blow, which felled Adelaide's Jordon Butts on Saturday at the MCG. Lynch's strike was graded as severe impact, intentional conduct and high contact by the AFL's match review officer Michael Christian. The dual premiership player's counsel Sam Tovey argued the impact should have been graded as medium or high, while accepting the other gradings. "I contested the mark, felt like Butts was holding on to me … I swung my arm around to get him off me," Lynch told the tribunal. "Absolutely I got it wrong and it was the wrong thing to do." Lynch denied hitting Butts with a clenched right fist as he can't fully bend the middle finger on that hand since the middle knuckle was fused in a 2020 operation. "I can't bend my middle finger so I can't fully form a clenched fist," he said. "It was more a swipe to get him off me." Lynch apologised to Butts post-game. "I walked over, shook his hand, and apologised and wished him all the best for the season," he said. "I got it wrong. I told him that he certainly beat me today and he seemed fine." The AFL's counsel Nick Pane KC said Lynch's strike was "the type of action from a bygone era". "There is no place for it in our game," Pane said. It was largely irrelevant whether Lynch's right hand formed a clenched fist, was partially clenched, or cupped, he said. "In any event … when it's delivered with significant force, it has the potential to cause injury," Pane said. "It's more good luck than good management that flusher contact wasn't made and that injury wasn't sustained." Despite Butts continuing to play unhurt, Pane called for a five-game suspension. But Lynch's counsel Tovey argued the strike should have been graded as medium impact, resulting in a two-match ban. "The worst that could have happened, largely did happen," Tovey said. After an 80-minute hearing, tribunal chairman Jeff Gleeson KC and panel members David Neitz and Jordan Bannister deliberated for about 50 minutes. "This was what we regard as a serious intentional action with the potential to cause serious injury," Gleeson said. "When we consider the totality of the matters, including the fact that Lynch clearly formed an intent to strike Butts … we find that a significant sanction is warranted." Separately, Lynch accepted a $1,000 fine for striking Butts in a separate second-term clash. He also accepted a $1,875 fine for engaging in a melee from an incident in the first quarter also involving Butts. Butts was also charged with engaging in a melee from the first-term incident but has challenged his fine via written submission, with a verdict expected on Wednesday. AAP
7NEWS
23-04-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Hawthorn midfielder Conor Nash slapped with four-match ban
Hawthorn midfielder Conor Nash will have an enforced break from AFL action after being hit with a four-game ban for striking Geelong dynamo Gryan Miers. Nash collected Miers with a high, swinging arm in the Cats' seven-point win on Easter Monday, and the AFL tribunal — after sweating on their final verdict for an hour — took a dim view of the hit on Wednesday night. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Gryan Miers knocked out by Conor Nash in ugly incident. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Nash was remorseful and admitted to the tribunal that he got 'badly wrong'. 'I just want to express with deep regret what happened to Gryan,' he said. 'I'm very remorseful for the incident. I was simply trying to make a play on the ball and I just got it badly wrong.' The tribunal was also presented with a text message that Nash sent to Miers after the game. 'Hi Gryan, Conor Nash here. Firstly, I just want to check in on how you've pulled up today. Hopefully not too bad and can get back on track soon. I'm also reaching out to let you know there really wasn't any malice to that hit,' the message said. 'I tried to play the ball and I just got it badly wrong. Yes, I do try playing the game with a physical presence, but not in that spirit. Just want you to know that again. Very sorry for what's happened and all the circus around it. Hopefully it's just a week for you and you're right to go. All the best for the rest of the season. Go well. Cheers, Conor.' Hawthorn pushed for a three-match sentence but the AFL thought four games was appropriate. Hawthorn representative Myles Tehan said it was 'not a dirty act'. 'It was an obvious football act attempting to impact the play by tapping the ball away (which went wrong),' Tehan said. Tehan also compared Nash's clean history to fellow Irishman, the late great Jimmy Stynes. 'Nash's impeccable record does call to mind the famously impeccable record of another Irishman, Mr Jim Stynes,' he said.
News.com.au
22-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Hawthorn's Conor Nash could face a four week ban after knocking out Geelong's Gryan Miers
Hawthorn's Conor Nash has been sent straight to the AFL tribunal for the swinging arm which left Geelong's Gryan Miers concussed and led to calls for a send-off rule. Nash levelled Miers midway through the third term of the Easter Monday clash at the MCG leaving the Cats' star dazed and needing help to leave the field. AFL legend Leigh Matthews said it was the 'exact incident, you only see a handful a year, where there should be a send off rule'. Nash was reported immediately and the match review panel graded the hit as careless conduct and severe impact with high contact and faces a ban of possibly four matches. "This is the exact incident, you only see a handful a year, where there should be a send off rule." Leigh Matthews on Conor Nash's incident with Gryan Miers ðŸ'° Watch #OnTheCouch on ch.504 or stream via @kayosports — Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) April 21, 2025 Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell conceded it was hard to defend Nash's action but was adamant he didn't have a 'reputation' for such things. 'I saw it live obviously and as soon as I saw (Miers) was taken off with concussion then you recognise that that's probably going to be a report and an MRO,' he told Fox Footy. 'My thoughts firstly go to Gryan, no one wants to see that concussion in the game. 'Nashy doesn't have a reputation for anything like that so I'm sure that's not what his intention was.'
News.com.au
22-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFL Now: Latest updates, injury lists, tribunal and team news on Tuesday ahead of round 7
More related stories AFL The stirring stories behind AFL Anzac tributes A special horseshoe made from parts of a downed German plane is on one jumper and another has turned an iconic sash into field of red poppies as AFL Anzac Day jerseys make a memorable statement. Read more AFL AFL world calls for send-offs after shock act Conor Nash is in all sorts of trouble after knocking Gryan Miers out in a savage moment in Geelong's thrilling victory at the MCG. Read more
7NEWS
21-04-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Geelong forward Gryan Miers knocked out in ugly incident with Conor Nash in Easter Monday clash
Hawthorn midfielder Conor Nash is facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines after knocking out Geelong forward Gryan Miers with an errant arm. Nash collected Miers in the chin with a clumsy attempt at a tackle during their traditional Easter Monday AFL clash at the MCG, immediately flattening the creative Cats goalsneak, who appeared to be out cold before he hit the ground. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Gryan Miers knocked out by Conor Nash in ugly incident. Geelong medical staff rushed out to Miers as players remonstrated with Nash, who cut a guilty figure as he raised his arms in acknowledgement of his mistake. 'He's out I reckon. Geelong players are calling for medical help straight away,' Brian Taylor said on Channel 7. '(Miers) has been told to stay down by the trainer that's there. 'They turn him on his side to get the mouthguard out.' Nash was instantly put on report for striking, and will be sent straight to the tribunal for a hit which is certain to be graded by the match review officer (MRO) as high contact and severe impact. Under the system followed by the MRO, Nash will get a three-week suspension as a starting point, and will have his case heard at the tribunal. 'That is a bit of trouble there for Conor Nash, no matter which way you look at it, by today's standards,' Taylor said. 'This will take a little while to clear him from the ground.' Luke Hodge added: 'He's definitely in trouble; as soon as you've got a swinging arm and it gets a player high, especially with the impact — Miers was out straight away. 'And I think Conor Nash realised that, he put his hands up and realised he was in the wrong.' Miers eventually got up and walked off, albeit on unsteady feet and with great assistance from two trainers. Hodge was confused why Miers was not taken off on a stretcher. 'When you see someone that wobbly on their feet, the smart thing to do would be to bring the cart out,' he said. Taylor added: 'He does not look steady at all.' Miers was subbed out as soon as he got off, replaced by Ted Clohesy.
