There’s big hits in the AFL, and then there’s this absolute dog act.
Gold Coast Suns forward Steven May will have his case sent straight to the AFL’s Tribunal to be heard, after the Match Review Panel deemed his head-high hit on Brisbane Lions ruckman Stefan Martin to be “severe.”
May, who has had issues with on-field aggression in the past, laid the hit on Martin in the closing stages of the first half of the Lions and Suns’ game at the Gabba on Saturday night.
Footage shows Suns captain Gary Ablett shoving Martin forward at full pace to put him off balance, before May – charging in head-on – leaves the ground and collects Martin’s head with the point of his shoulder.
Martin was knocked unconscious and had to be stretchered off the ground, suffering a concussion.
The MRP assessed the contact as being “carless conduct” with “severe impact to the head.”
Martin, fortunately, avoided serious damage and passed a concussion test on Monday, with team officials hopeful he can take his place in the side again this coming weekend.
May’s poor prior record means he’s likely headed for a lengthy suspension, with speculation rife that it could be in the 5-6 week vicinity.
No matter which way you spin it, that’s an ugly bloody hit. Yiiiiiiikes.
Source: ABC News.
Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty.
