Port Melbourne's Roy George has been handed a two-match suspension, after headbutting Brisbane's Tai Hayes in an all-in brawl, late in his side's clash with the Brisbane Lions.
Port ran away with a stirring victory, all the talk since has centred around the ugly incident that marred proceedings.
Port Melbourne, and George, can see the ban reduced to one match with an early guilty plea, while his teammate Josh Tovey has been handed a $150 fine for inciting the initial melee.
Port Melbourne have had to issue a statement via their social media, after George was the subject of racist abuse, following the incident.
There was precedent for the inevitable ban, with the likes of Malcolm Rosas and Bailey Smith receiving sanctions for similar acts at the top level, while former Bomber-turned Giant Jayden Laverde also faced a stint on the pine after headbutting a Port Melbourne player in the VFL, last year.
"Ooh, that didn't look good" 😬
Port Melbourne's Roy George appeared to headbutt a Brisbane opponent in the final minutes of their #VFL clash on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/N74fcUDBKR
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) April 26, 2026
Former Adelaide Crow Jackson Hately has been handed a two-match ban for striking Collingwood's Brady Grey, but his ban can also be halved with an early plea.
Frankston's Harrison Jones was handed two matches, too, for rough conduct against Coburg's Jack Bytel.
