Carlton forward Jack Martin has been handed a two-match ban for striking Sydney’s Nick Blakey in the first quarter of the Blues’ elimination final win on Friday night.
The incident occurred in the first half of Carlton’s six-point win when Martin charged at Blakey with a swinging right arm and made contact with the Swans star’s head as he attempted to get rid of the ball.
Martin’s hit on Blakey was deemed careless conduct, high impact and high contact by the AFL’s match review officer.
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However, Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes was baffled by the call made by the MRO.
“Two weeks is ridiculous, this should be a one week (suspension). Everyone thought it is one week … but somehow they’ve landed at two weeks,” he told AFL Nation.
“I’m not sure why we’re trying to over-complicate things to make a statement.”
Martin’s hit stunned those watching, with Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor expressing immediate concern for Blakey at the time.
“I can see why he’s slow to get to his feet, copped one around the mush, mouth guard spat out,” Taylor said on Channel 7.
“I thought for a moment there might be a tooth in it as well.”
Blakey left the field immediately following the clash with Martin but returned after passing a 15-minute HIA test.
Martin spoke on his actions after the win, ensuring that he had the support of coach Michael Voss after the controversy.
“I came off, on the bench and Vossy (Michael Voss) goes, ‘Good tackle’,” Martin said on Channel 7 post match.
If he is unable to get the suspension overturned, Martin’s absence would be a major blow to Carlton’s hopes of beating Melbourne in next week’s semi final.
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps lauded Martin’s ferocity against the Swans, which came after two crucial final quarter marks in Carlton’s defensive fifty.
“He’s been huge. What I love about him is he’s bloody hard, he hits players and they feel it,” Cripps told Channel 7 post match.
“It’s the style we want to play.”
The incident comes after Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard will head straight to the tribunal after his hit on Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw was deemed careless conduct, severe impact and high contact.