Carlton utility Will Hayward has copped a one-match ban after his swinging arm to the stomach of North Melbourneโs George Wardlaw was deemed as an intentional strike.
The former Swan will be missing from the Carlton side for their brutally tough assignment against Adelaide to kick off Gather Round in South Australia on Thursday night.
After prolonged debate about Haywardโs case and where it fitted in the light of the AFLโs off-season crackdown on โgut punchesโ, the AFL Tribunal ruled that Haywardโs strike was intentional โ a ruling chairman Jeff Gleeson KC said was โirresistibleโ to reach.
With Carlton also missing defender Jacob Weitering due to concussion, the Bluesโ challenge to save their season after a 1-3 start and reduce pressure on besieged coach Michael Voss is suddenly much harder.
