Sydney Swans star Lance Franklin in hot water over hit on Trent Cotchin, one-match suspension, to miss round 12 clash
Sydney Swans star Lance Franklin has been handed a one-match suspension for striking Richmond’s Trent Cotchin, ruling the 1000 goal hero out of his side’s round 12 showdown with Melbourne at the MCG.
The incident occurred during the second quarter of the clash on Friday night, when a frustrated Franklin lashed out at Cotchin after the Tigers midfielder paid close attention to the key forward in the Swans’ attacking 50.
Franklin was initially awarded a free kick for holding the man as he tussled with Cotchin, before a pair of right-handed strikes to Cotchin’s jaw resulted in the free kick being reversed.
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Match Review Officer Michael Christian assessed the incident as intentional conduct with low impact and high contact, which results in a one-match ban.
Given Cotchin didn’t go to ground as a result of Franklin’s swipe, the incident left those watching confused over what the final outcome from would be.
“Either (there was contact) or Trent should go to Hollywood,” Collingwood great Nathan Buckley said on Fox Footy’s coverage.
“I’ve got a sneaking suspicion there was contact. Definitely contact and he’s thrown it, I don’t know how you can argue it isn’t deliberate.”
AFLW star Daisy Pearce begged to differ.
“I think he’ll be right, I think he went for a push on the chest and slipped a bit high,” she said on Seven’s coverage,
“They won’t like the look of it the AFL, but it slipped up high, an open hand, it barely brushed him and Cotchin played on fine.
“I think a fine at worst.”
The Swans enter the blockbuster match-up with a 7-4 record, while the top-of-the-table Demons will hope to bounce back after suffering their first loss of the season to Fremantle on Saturday.
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