Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks managed to hold it together during the AFL360 broadcast when learning key forward Darcy Fogarty's three-game suspension was upheld at the Tribunal.
Fogarty was handed a three-match layoff for his strike on Sydney's Harry Cunningham, which was deemed careless conduct, high contact, and severe impact by the Match Review Officer (MRO).
The Tribunal was "comfortably satisfied" with the finding that Fogarty was an act of striking. He will miss Thursday's blockbuster against Collingwood at the Adelaide Oval, as well as clashes with Essendon and Richmond.
“Do you want my reaction from before we went on air?” Nicks chuckled.
“Immediately as it happened, no, we thought it was just a tackle like the rest of the overall supporters and players all around.
“I think when you slow it down and go back through it in slow motion and realise it's 0.6 of a second that he has to make a decision.
“There's a lot in it, but we understand we're trying to protect players. But (it's) disappointing for Fog, because there was no malice, no intent, and I think it was graded as careless
“We'll take it as a positive that he can freshen himself up and come back in three weeks' time and give us everything he's got.”
Fogarty has been one of the in-form key forwards of the competition in the last month, kicking 15 goals, including a match-winning four majors against Sydney last week at the SCG.
Veteran Taylor Walker, who was managed for the trip to New South Wales, is firmly in the mix for a senior recall, especially given Fogarty's absence.
“There's that opportunity; he had nine shots on goal two weeks earlier, so he's in a bit of form,” Crows assistant coach Scott Burns said.
“We managed him (for) Sydney, he's not getting any younger, and we just want to make sure that when he's playing senior footy, he's as fresh and sharp as he can be.
“Tex is a very good wet weather player as well, though he's very smart in wet weather as well.
“I think it looks like it may be wet Thursday night, so we'll wait and see how he goes in those conditions.”
