Carlton utility Will Hayward has copped a one-match ban after his swinging arm to the stomach of North Melbourne’s George Wardlaw was deemed as an intentional strike.
The former Swan will be missing from the Carlton side for their brutally tough assignment against Adelaide to kick off Gather Round in South Australia on Thursday night.
After prolonged debate about Hayward’s case and where it fitted in the light of the AFL’s off-season crackdown on “gut punches”, the AFL Tribunal ruled that Hayward’s strike was intentional – a ruling chairman Jeff Gleeson KC said was “irresistible” to reach.
With Carlton also missing defender Jacob Weitering due to concussion, the Blues’ challenge to save their season after a 1-3 start and reduce pressure on besieged coach Michael Voss is suddenly much harder.
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