Brownlow Medallist Simon Black’s stop-start AFL season looks like stopping again after the veteran was hit with a one-match ban.
Black, who has been struggling with a groin problem for weeks and pulled up sore after the Lions’ 60-point win over Greater Western Sydney on Saturday night, is yet to decide whether to stretch his career into 2014.
But the 34-year-old’s window for 2013 is closing after the match review panel hit him with a one-match suspension for striking GWS skipper Callan Ward at the weekend.
If Black accepts the suspension with an early guilty plea and then decides to retire at the end of the season, it keeps the door open for him to play his final AFL match in round 23.
Black has enjoyed a decorated career, winning the 2002 Brownlow, three premierships and the Norm Smith Medal for best afield in the 2003 grand final.
But he has played just eight matches this season because of knee and groin issues, and his appearance against GWS was his first AFL match in two months.
West Coast veteran Dean Cox can accept a reprimand for striking Geelong skipper Joel Selwood during the Eagles’ 66-point defeat at the weekend.
Cox’s good record over the past six years has bought him a heavy discount on what would have been his penalty.
Port Adelaide midfielder Hamish Hartlett was given a two-match suspension for his heavy bump which floored Gold Coast defender Seb Tape in their weekend match.
But Hartlett is likely to be sidelined regardless of whether he accepts or contests the charge, as he dislocated his right shoulder in a later incident.
Should Port fight the charge, they risk Hartlett’s ban rising to three matches which would take in a possible Port Adelaide final.
West Coast midfielder Scott Selwood can accept a reprimand if he pleads guilty to tripping Geelong’s Mitch Duncan.
But Collingwood forward Quinten Lynch has escaped sanction over his bump which floored Hawthorn midfielder Sam Mitchell as Lynch was running off the field towards the bench.
“After viewing all available video footage and receiving a medical from the Hawthorn Football Club, it was the view of the panel that the force used was below that required to be a reportable offence,” the panel said in a statement explaining the ruling.
All players have until lunchtime Tuesday to decide whether to contest the match review panel’s findings at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night.