Carlton’s Will Hayward has been handed a one-match suspension following the AFL tribunal’s decision to uphold a striking charge against him.
During a match last Friday, Hayward struck North Melbourne’s George Wardlaw in the midsection using a swinging arm.
The upcoming game against Adelaide on Thursday night marks the beginning of the AFL’s Gather Round, but Carlton will be without Hayward for this crucial encounter due to the upheld suspension.
Appearing before the AFL tribunal on Tuesday evening, Hayward pleaded not guilty to the allegation of intentionally striking Wardlaw during Carlton’s loss on Good Friday. The incident occurred late in the third quarter at Docklands Stadium when Hayward swung his arm, making contact with Wardlaw as he attempted to advance the ball.
The tribunal classified the incident as intentional conduct with medium impact and body contact. Carlton argued that the impact should have been assessed as low and the action deemed careless.
After an hour of deliberation, the tribunal affirmed the charge. Tribunal chairman Jeff Gleeson KC stated, “The conclusion that this was an intentional strike is, on the evidence, irresistible. The only act with which Hayward’s swinging fist was consistent was that of a strike.”
Hayward, who joined Carlton from Sydney in a high-profile trade involving Charlie Curnow, maintained that he did not intend to strike Wardlaw. “My intention the whole time was to put pressure on the ball,” he explained. “I couldn’t see where the ball was at the time of the impact. I stand by my intention to make contact to destabilize him.”
In cross-examination, when asked if he would repeat the action if given another chance, Hayward responded affirmatively. The AFL contended that Wardlaw was unprepared for contact and vulnerable at the time, emphasizing that the point of contact was his stomach. They also pointed to Hayward’s clenched fist as indicative of a deliberate strike.
However, Carlton’s legal representative, Chris Townshend KC, argued that a recent rule change — which categorizes intentional strikes as at least medium impact — was intended for off-the-ball situations, not for Hayward’s case. “I doubt anyone watching at home would consider swinging an arm across a body in this context should be classified as more than low impact,” he asserted.
This suspension adds to the challenges faced by Carlton, who are already missing vice-captain and key defender Jacob Weitering due to concussion. The Blues aim to improve their 1-3 record this season after experiencing a series of disappointing second-half performances, all while coach Michael Voss finds himself under pressure in the final year of his contract.
