Heath Hocking faces one-match AFL ban - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Heath Hocking faces one-match AFL ban

By Guy Hand 22/08/2011 08:33:26 PM Comments (0)

Essendon could well weigh up their swag of injuries when deciding whether to contest a one-match ban against midfielder Heath Hocking that would keep him out until the AFL finals.

Hocking was slapped with the suspension by the match review panel on Monday for a weekend sling tackle on West Coast's Daniel Kerr.

If he accepts the ban, he will miss the Bombers' last home-and-away match against Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

And it would mean two weeks without football for Hocking, with the Bombers having the bye the week before the finals - which they look certainties to make if they beat lowly Port.

Hocking's absence would cause further issues for the Bombers going into the match.

Forward Stewart Crameri is set to have surgery on the shoulder he injured against the Eagles, but whether he will play through the pain or have the operation immediately is still to be decided.

And Essendon skipper Jobe Watson and experienced Andrew Welsh will have tests on concussions suffered in the loss to West Coast and are no certainties to play.

"Andrew's knock was slightly more severe than Jobe's but they have both pulled up reasonably well," Bombers football manager Paul Hamilton said.

"We don't want to take any risks but we will monitor them and we will make a decision from there but the early signs are good.

"We'd love to have our captain and vice-captain available for what is a very important game."

West Coast's Beau Waters escaped punishment for the hit which concussed and bloodied Watson - the match review panel believing the high contact was accidental.

But the season looks over for Melbourne midfielder Colin Sylvia, who faces a two-match ban.

Sylvia was charged with rough conduct over his high hit on Richmond defender Jayden Post during the Demons' seven-point loss on Sunday.

He cannot reduce the ban with a guilty plea.

Sylvia's team-mate Aaron Davey has been offered a one-match ban if he makes an early guilty plea to striking Richmond's Mitch Morton.

Fremantle's Clayton Hinkley and St Kilda's Dean Polo can accept reprimands.

Richmond's Jack Riewoldt and Melbourne's Jordie McKenzie have been fined $900 for wrestling, with Sydney veteran Jude Bolton slugged $900 for umpire contact.

All players have until lunchtime on Tuesday to decide whether to fight their penalties at the tribunal.

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