Buddy suspended; season could be overHAWTHORN star forward Lance Franklin was tonight banned for two matches following a hearing at the AFL Tribunal.
The lanky Hawk was cited for a head-high hit on Richmond's Ben Cousins on Saturday at the MCG, which left the former Eagles captain concussed and helped from the ground.
Hawthorn rolled the dice and failed when they rejected an initial one-match ban and took their chances at the tribunal. Franklin's bump was graded as 'negligent conduct, medium impact and high contact', worth 225 demerit points and a two-match ban.
The suspension could end a disappointing year for Franklin (pictured) who last year became football's first Indigenous man to win the AFL's Coleman Medal (leading goalkicker award). The man they call 'Buddy' has booted just 67 goals this year. At this point last year, he had kicked 98 goals and was in a battle with Carlton's Brendan Fevola for the Coleman.
Franklin this year looked restricted in his movement in the early stages of the season and his patchy form reflected that of his 2008 premiership team which is faltering in its title defence.
The ninth-placed Hawks this week face a virtual do-or-die match against bitter rival Essendon to claim eighth spot one week out from the finals. If they fail, they will become the first team since Adelaide in 1999 to have missed the finals after having won the AFL premiership the year before.
If the Hawks win on Friday night Franklin will also miss the first week of the finals. Should the Hawks lose, he will also miss Round 1 next year.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Last Modified on 25/08/2009 20:22