Wright cops lengthy ban for high bump
The AFL tribunal has taken a stand against head-high contact, suspending Essendon forward Peter Wright for four weeks for his high bump on Sydney defender Harry Cunningham.
Wright was referred directly to the tribunal after collecting Cunningham high during the Bombers’ 30-point loss to the Swans on Saturday night, leaving Cunningham concussed.
Minutes into the match at the SCG, Cunningham ran backward to take a mark and Wright rushed in to spoil, and the pair collided.
As Wright jumped to contest the mark, his shoulder struck Cunningham’s head.
Match review officer Michael Christian deemed Wright’s hit to be careless conduct with severe impact and high contact.
The tribunal’s decision follows heated debate around Wright’s intentions to mark the ball as he appeared to turn his body mid-air and brace to bump.
During the hearing, Wright pleaded guilty to all aspects of the charge, as the AFL campaigned for a ban of “no less than four matches”.
Essendon petitioned for a three-match ban.
