Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett has been offered a one-game ban for a dangerous tackle on Melbourne’s Tom Sparrow by the MRO.
The incident occurred in the last quarter of the Bombers’ win over the Demons at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday, with Merrett slamming Sparrow into the ground in a strong tackle.
MRO Michael Christian graded the incident as careless conduct that was high contact and medium impact.
Zach Merrett has been offered a one-match suspension for this tackle on Tom Sparrow. pic.twitter.com/jhrDk4JElY
— AFL (@AFL) April 16, 2023
If the Bombers opt to challenge the case at the Tribunal, they will likely argue that the impact was low in attempt to have the sanction downgraded to a fine.
If Essendon don’t challenge or if the decision is upheld, the skipper will miss the traditional Anzac Day clash against Collingwood.
In other assessed incidents from Saturday, Melbourne's Angus Brayshaw was fined $1500 for tripping Essendon's Sam Draper while Port Adelaide's Dylan Williams was hit with the same punishment for a trip on Western Bulldogs forward Mitch Hannan.