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Port Adelaide has confirmed it will appeal Dan Houston’s five-match ban, which was handed down by the AFL tribunal for his bump on Adelaide’s Izak Rankine that led to a heated brawl in the Showdown.
The club confirmed the news in a statement but did not elaborate on what grounds.
An appeal is expected to take place on Thursday, but the AFL is yet to give exact details of timing.
Houston’s hit, which left Rankine with a concussion and led to him being stretchered from the field in the third quarter of the Power’s win, was graded as severe impact with careless conduct and high contact by Match Review Officer Michael Christian, triggering an automatic Tribunal hearing.
The ban guarantees his season is over, barring a successful appeal, with the Power having a maximum of one home-and-away match plus four finals left in 2024; given Houston’s interest in a trade back to Victoria, it could be his final match as a Port Adelaide player.
However, given the Power have nothing to lose by taking the case to the AFL Appeals Board, it appears highly likely that they will do so and attempt to free Houston for a potential grand final, should they make it.
Only a three-match suspension will guarantee Houston’s availability for the last Saturday in September, with a four-match ban only freeing him if the Power make it despite losing their qualifying final.
The Age’s Caroline Wilson reported on Monday that Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks described Houston’s hit as a ‘f–king dog act’ in an on-field exchange with Power coach Ken Hinkley.
At the Tribunal hearing, the Power argued for a three-match suspension, claiming Houston’s bump did not make contact to Rankine’s head and that his concussion was caused after he hit the ground, while also arguing the half-back’s previously clean record should be taken into account.
Speaking at the Tribunal, Houston expressed his remorse for the incident, and said to miss a grand final as a result of the hit would be ‘crushing’.
“I regret my decision to bump Izak and I’m very sorry for the injury my decision caused,” he said.
“I remember the ball coming in my direction after [Adelaide defender Mark] Keane’s double-fisted spoil. My first thought was to get the ball myself. I recall seeing Rankine when I was within a metre or so of him. I don’t remember making the decision to bump. It is clear from the film that I did make that decision.
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“I never meant to hurt Izak, let alone concuss him. I don’t believe I made any contact at all with Izak’s head, neck or top of his shoulders, but I accept that my bump caused his head to hit the ground, and because of that, this is classified as high contact.
“At the time, I didn’t see his head hit the ground because I was watching the ball. I don’t know why I didn’t tackle. In the past, this has been my first instinct. I don’t know why I decided to bump because I can’t remember making that decision because it all happened so quickly.
Izak Rankine is knocked out by a late hit from Dan Houston. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
“I reached out to Izak after the game and apologised. I want to formally apologise again now.
“I like to think that I’m a fair player. I have never been suspended before.
“I’ve been an AFL player for nine years. I’ve played in many finals, but never in a grand final. Losing the opportunity to play in a grand final would be crushing to me.”
The AFL called for a five-match suspension, with counsel Lisa Hannon describing the hit as ‘at the higher level of carelessness’, while accepting the Power’s argument that Houston’s first point of contact with Rankine was at the top of the shoulder and neck rather than directly impacting the head.
The Crows’ medical report confirmed in addition to the concussion, Rankine had sustained an A/C joint injury as a result of the bump.
In response, Port Adelaide counsel Ben Krupka argued that the incident falls well below the severity of incidents which have received bans of five matches or greater, and that this combined with the lack of direct high contact, plus Houston’s remorse and clean record, should result in a sanction of only three weeks.
In explaining the decision, the Tribunal said Houston’s ‘carelessness was significant’, and the impact ‘severe’, saying Rankine was ‘exposed and vulnerable’.
“An opposing player has a clear duty of care in these circumstances not to commit an act which can be reasonably foreseen to result in a reported offense,” the statement reads.
“Houston breaches that duty of care, and his breach was significant. He had time to think, he had time to weigh up his options. He had time and the clear opportunity to tackle. He chose to run at speed for several metres and forcefully bumped Rankine.
“We are satisfied he made forceful contact to Rankine’s upper shoulder and neck. His forceful contact also resulted in Rankine’s head making forceful contact with the ground.
“Although Houston’s feet did not leave the ground, and he appears to have made some attempt to lower his body, the time he had to decide not to bump, the vulnerability of Rankine and the speed and force of his impact lead us to conclude that this was a serious breach of duty of care.
“Rankine could have expected to be tackled – he could not reasonably have expected to be bumped high.
“We have taken into account Houston’s guilty plea among other things, including his good record, his contrition and the need for consistency compared with other recent comparable Tribunal decisions. Having done so, we consider the appropriate sanction is five weeks for the reasons set out above.
“His carelessness was significant, the impact was severe. The immediate consequences for Rankine were evident: he was concussed, it appears his shoulder was hurt and there was the potential for more serious injury.
“We do not consider the circumstances give rise to exceptional and compelling circumstances. We do not consider the consequence of missing finals and potentially a grand final impacts the sanction that should be imposed, particularly for such a serious breach and such a significant injury.”
If the night of the fiery Showdown 56 wasn’t contentious enough, it seems to have taken another disappointing twist, with reports that police are now investigating an incident involving Adelaide midfielder Matt Crouch.
Seven News Adelaide is reporting that the Crows player went face-to-face with a Port Adelaide fan.
“Police have told me they’re investigating reports of an assault at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night,” reporter Josh Money said.
“As the Crows were walking down the players’ race, star midfielder Matt Crouch came face-to-face with a Port Adelaide fan who was yelling over the fence.
“It’s understood Crouch reacted by knocking the fan’s hat off his head.”
It comes on an eventful night, where not only was Houston suspended for a high bump on Izak Rankine on the field, but there were allegations of online racism targeted at Willie Rioli and the Port Adelaide mascot ‘Thunda’ needing medical treatment after being punched by an opposition fan.
“While the incident itself wasn’t caught by the broadcast cameras, the moments immediately after were. The fan involved can be seen complaining to Crows coaches and staff before putting his cap back on his head,” Money added.
“Police confirming today they’ve received a complaint today about an alleged assault and are pleading with anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.”
Geelong premiership star Zach Tuohy will retire at the end of the AFL season as the competition’s Irish games record holder.
Tuohy, 34, will hang up the boots at the end of the finals campaign after more than 280 games with the Cats and Carlton.
Tuohy told his teammates of his decision on Tuesday and announced it in a video statement to Geelong members on Wednesday
“While there’s a lot of footy left to play this year, I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support,” Tuohy said.
“I knew when I came to the Cats I was in for a treat. I don’t think I fully appreciated just how much of an incredible journey it was going to be.
“There’s a lot of work left to do this year but I just wanted to thank you for everything.
“Geelong, the club and the city, has been incredible for me and my family.
“I consider myself a Geelong person forever off the back of your support.
“A lot of work left to do – I look forward to seeing everyone this weekend – but 2024, that’ll do me.”
Tuohy attracted attention from AFL recruiters in 2009 and was lured by Carlton out of Portlaoise in County Laois in 2010.
He became an accomplished defender and moved to Geelong at the end of 2016, before featuring in the Cats’ 2022 premiership alongside fellow Irish player Mark O’Connor.
The pair were the second and third Irishmen to win premierships after Sydney’s Tadhg Kennelly (2005).
Tuohy is only the second Irish player to play more than 200 AFL/VFL games and passed the late Jim Stynes’ record of 264 appearances last year.
He will play his 287th game when the Cats host West Coast at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
“Zach has been a skilful, durable and flexible player across his eight seasons in the hoops,” Geelong football manager Andrew Mackie said.
“He will depart as the Irish games record holder, which is a remarkable achievement for someone who made the decision 15 years ago to leave home to travel across the world to play our game.
“He is a loved and respected teammate and has contributed greatly to the environment of our club.”
Meanwhile, luckless ruckman Sam Naismith is also hanging up the boots after yet another ACL injury.
Naismith managed 30 games in 10 seasons at Sydney because of recurring knee injuries, including three ACL ruptures.
The 32-year-old joined Richmond this season as a delisted free agent, playing two AFL games before suffering a career-ending setback in the VFL.
“This has been the best year of my football career,” Naismith told teammates.
© AAP
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