Cameron Rayner

Lions to challenge Rayner suspension, accept Answerth charge

The Match Review Officer handed down a pair of charges from Friday night’s spiteful clash.

Published by
Mitch Keating

Brisbane have decided to challenge midfielder Cam Rayner's suspension from the Match Review Officer for his dangerous tackle on Melbourne forward Ben Brown during Friday night's match at the Gabba.

The incident in question occurred in the opening term of Melbourne's 58-point win, with Brown having his arms pinned by Rayner after he gained possession of the ball, with the tackle not allowing the premiership Demon to brace for landing.

Rayner was reported for rough conduct, while Brown was assisted off the field shortly after the incident and was taken down into his side's clubrooms for further assessment, having been left bloodied by the tackle.

However, he was able to play out the match after being cleared of concussion protocols.

Despite Brown's ability to continue to play out the match, the tackle gained scrutiny of the MRO within his charges sheet for Friday's match between the Lions and Demons.

The MRO assessed Rayner's actions as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact, resulting in a one-match suspension.

Rayner will front the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night in a bid to be available for his side's elimination final next Thursday night against Richmond.

 

Meanwhile, Brisbane have opted not to challenge Noah Answorth's one-week suspension after striking Demons forward Alex Neal-Bullen.

Answorth's transgression came during the second term of the spiteful clash and was graded as intentional conduct, medium impact contact to the body.

Brisbane blew their chance to sew up a double chance after being blown off the Gabba by the reigning premiers to start the final round of action.

Published by
Mitch Keating