Richmond Tigers key defender Luke Trainor is set for a stint on the sidelines after appearing to punch West Coast Eagles defender Jack Williams in the second quarter of Sunday's clash.
Off the ball incidents such as this one have been the subject of an AFL crackdown this year, with multiple players handed sanctions for the act.
Greg Swann, the AFL's footy boss, first flagged the crackdown last off-season, reinforced his stance after the first instance in the pre-season, and has been ruthless in its execution this season.
Trainor's appears a cut and dry case, with cameras catching him in the act.
'IN A BIT OF BARNEY RUBBLE...' 😬
Luke Trainor looks likely to be cited by the MRO after this hit on Jack Williams behind play.
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It's disappointing for the defender, who has battled with concussion and the soreness associated with the toil of AFL football, while trying to forge a career for himself.
His mark earlier in the contest was one of the highlights of a reasonably dire affair.
How about this grab from Luke Trainor deep in his own half ?! 😮 pic.twitter.com/2Q4SLMTP5q
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Poor discipline has been a feature of the first half, with Eagles star Harley Reid the beneficiary. Just days after his coach flagged a chat with the AFL over his star's treatment, the first overall pick from the 2023 National Draft, Reid received six free kicks in the first half alone.
The Tigers lead the Eagles by 15 points at the main change of the clash of the cellar dwellers in Sunday sunshine, at the MCG.
