Important North Melbourne forward Paul Curtis has been offered a three-match ban by the Match Review Officer, following his slinging tackle in Saturday's one-point victory over the West Coast Eagles.
Luckless Eagle Hamish Davis was the victim of the act, and saw his day end in the first quarter because of it. Concussed and clearly worse for wear after the act, Davis groggily made his way off the playing field in the hands of trainers.
Compounding matters for the Eagles, a goal was scored while Davis made his way to the bench, with the Andrew McQualter's side a man down after interchange stewards refused to let Ryan Maric enter the field of play until Davis crossed the boundary line. It was a decision that left McQualter perplexed, post-game.
Curtis and the Kangaroos will now decide whether or not to challenge the ban in the hopes of reducing the time he must spend away from a side looking to build on a stirring start to the season. The Roos have as more wins as they mustered in the entirety of last season, with 10 matches still to come.
The incident was graded high contact, careless conduct and severe impact - a combination that delineates the three-week sanction. Given the outcome of the act, it is unclear as to which of the gradings North Melbourne would seek to reduce with a potential appeal.
Curtis has form in the space, having been handed a three-match sanction last year for a dangerous tackle on Port Adelaide's Josh Sinn - a sanction that divided the AFL community.
A decision from the Kangaroos as to whether or not they will challenge the ruling is expected by close of business on Monday.
