Life at Carlton just got more tough.
Off-season Carlton recruit Will Hayward has been given a one-match suspension for his swinging arm hit on North Melbourne's George Wardlaw during the Good Friday clash at Marvel Stadium.
The incident, where Hayward's closed fist and arm hit Wardlaw's stomach/rib cage, occurred during the third quarter of the match and led to a down the field free kick which resulted in a Nick Larkey goal.
The Blues will likely appeal the decision and ask for it to be downgraded by the tribunal to a fine.
The AFL has updated its ruling on acts such as these for the 2026 season. The law reads "Intentional Strikes to a victim player's body or head will usually be classified as Medium Impact at a minimum (resulting in at least a one-match sanction), rather than the previous grading as Low Impact."
The MRO graded the incident as striking with intentional conduct, medium impact, body contact.
Carlton will try to argue that the outcome was low impact as evidenced by Wardlaw staying on the ground and playing out the match.
Heading into Carlton's Gather Round clash against Adelaide on Thursday night, the Blues will already be without defensive pair Jacob Weitering and Harry Dean (both concussion).
In other MRO news, Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson can accept a $1500 sanction ($1000 for an early plea) for making careless contact with an umpire during the first quarter of the Adelaide-Fremantle match on Friday night.
Dockers ruck Luke Jackson has been dealt with the same sanction, also for a first quarter careless conduct with an umpire incident.
