AFL Match Review: Rhyan Mansell has suspension upheld, James Sicily still to appeal

Kieran Francis

AFL Match Review: Rhyan Mansell has suspension upheld, James Sicily still to appeal image

Rhyan Mansell's three-match suspension for rough conduct on James Aish has been upheld by the AFL Appeals board.

James Sicily's appeal to overturn his three-match ban will be heard on Monday.

The Sporting News wraps up all the match review panel and tribunal news for round 13.

MORE: Marlion Pickett granted bail after arrest in Perth 

Mansell unsuccessful in bid to reduce suspension

Richmond talent Mansell will miss the next three games after the AFL Appeals board ratified the punishment given by the AFL Tribunal.

The Tigers argued Mansell took reasonable action to protect himself and brace for an unavoidable collision.

However, the Appeals board supported the Tribunal decision that Mansell elected to bump and failed in his duty of care to Aish.

Mansell will miss games against St Kilda, Brisbane and Sydney, with a bye between those fixtures also.

James Sicily to appeal ban

Hawthorn star James Sicily will appeal his three-match suspension for rough conduct on Brisbane's Hugh McCluggage.

With the Hawks having the bye this week, Sicily's case at the AFL Appeal Board will be heard at 5pm (AEST) on Monday, June 19.

James Sicily sidelined again

He has only just returned from suspension, but Sicily will spend another three weeks on the sidelines for his tackle on McCluggage.

Sicily lunged to bring McCluggage to the ground during a tackle in the fourth quarter but ended up concussing the Lion in the process.

McCluggage needed medical attention and was helped from the ground after his head struck the ground with force.

He has not been afforded an early guilty plea and was referred directly to the tribunal where he faced the three-week ban he received.

Sicily was banned for one match after Hawthorn's Round 11 win against St Kilda for bumping Anthony Caminiti.

He missed the Hawks game against Port Adelaide last weekend and came straight back into the team against the Lions.

Rhyan Mansell banned for bump on James Aish

Tigers' youngster Mansell has copped a three-week ban after he was referred directly to the Tribunal following his last quarter bump on James Aish.

The Docker subsequently left the field with a concussion during a crucial part of the match with Mansell catching Aish high. 

James Aish came from the ground following this incident with Rhyan Mansell.#AFLFreoTigers pic.twitter.com/j1cBwGXc6m

— AFL (@AFL) June 10, 2023

"If I'd have kept running straight on, I would’ve opened myself and both of us up to injury," Mansell stated in his defence as he claimed he did not bump his opponent. 

However, the AFL countered by questioning, "if this does not constitute a bump, what is it then?"

The Tribunal ruled that Mansell was guilty of hitting Aish without being involved in a contest for the ball.

"Although he approached at speed, the vision shows that from a metre or two from the point of impact he turns and bumps Aish," the Tribunal said.

He will now sit on the sidelines for three weeks and miss matches against St Kilda, Brisbane and Sydney. 

Dan Butler overturns ban for tackle on Nick Blakey

Butler initially received a charge after he was found to have engaged in a tackle on Nick Blakey which was careless conduct, medium impact and high contact.

The St Kilda forward was facing a one week ban but the club argued the rough conduct accusation was a "disproportionate response" to the tackle. 

In the player's defence, the club stated that Butler didn't drive his opponent into the ground and actually made a "conscious decision" to release Blakey's arm during the incident, which was supported by the Tribunal. 

"We’re pleased to have Dan available to take on the Tigers this weekend," Acting General Manager of Football, David Misson, said after the verdict was reached. 

"We are cognisant of the need to protect the head, however as stated in our defence and proven by the Tribunal’s verdict, we believe Dan’s actions were a pure footballing act and weren’t untoward in any nature."

Prior to his trip to the Tribunal, Butler's tackle caused plenty of controversy within the AFL. 

It appeared to be within the laws of the game, but because Blakey's head struck the turf, scrutiny followed.

Dan Butler was penalised for this dangerous tackle on Nick Blakey.#AFLSwansSaints pic.twitter.com/kYiFqzkrrP

— AFL (@AFL) June 8, 2023

Prior to the charge being issued, journalist Jon Ralph said on Fox Footy he believed Butler would be offered a two-week suspension, while Daisy Pearce also thought Butler would be given a ban judging by previous cases this season.

Hawks legend Jason Dunstall said he would be 'horrified' if Butler was suspended for executing a 'perfect tackle'.

"I’d be really concerned with where the game’s going if he gets rubbed out for that tackle, I’d be horrified," Dunstall said on Fox Footy.

"I mean, he steps inside, he turns side on so he’s not going to keep his balance, you’re a little bloke tackling a bloke who’s 6’5”.

"I was watching that passage of play and I thought Dan Butler was brilliant the way he stayed in the hunt, because it looked like he was out and he just kept in there, in there, in there. And eventually, he makes the tackle, momentum takes him to ground. He’s got no option here. I don’t know.

"I think if you ask him to do anything other than what he did, it’s impossible. He’s a small bloke, you think he’s going to just hold him when they’re running at that pace? I don’t get what the options are there, other than not tackling.

"And I would have thought if we say don’t tackle, well, then we may as well give up the game."

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.