FootyGoss :: All the Latest AFL and WAFL Breaking News

Bombers in for rough ride

By Mr Dandalooa

Essendon ruckman David Hille has been cleared to play against Port Adelaide on Saturday after his charge of engaging in rough conduct was dropped this afternoon, but Andrew Welsh’s low blow has cost the Essendon midfield dearly.

The experienced Bomber has been suspended for 4 games for deliberately kneeing Hawthorn’s Xavier Ellis in the groin at the MCG last Saturday night.

An incident involving Dustin Fletcher was also assessed but no further action was taken.

The AFL advised the Match Review Panel has reviewed the matches played from the weekend and the following charge was laid against Welsh:

“Andrew Welsh, Essendon, has been charged with a Level Four misconduct offence for kneeing Xavier Ellis, Hawthorn, during the third quarter of the Round Six match between Essendon and Hawthorn, played at the MCG on Saturday May 1, 2010.”

“In summary, he can accept a three-match sanction with an early plea.

“The incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), medium impact (two points) and groin contact (two points). This is a total of seven activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Four offence, drawing 425 demerit points and a four-match sanction. He has no existing good or bad record. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to 318.75 points and a three-match sanction.”

The AFL match review panel came down heavily on Welsh, and assessed his third-quarter offence as intentional, to Ellis’ groin and of medium impact.

Welsh could reduce his penalty to three games with a guilty plea today.

The Bombers are considering their options and would make a decision today as to whether Welsh accepted the penalty or would challenge at the tribunal.

It’s another blow for the Bombers, which despite a convincing 43-point win over the Hawks on the weekend had celebrations dampened by knee injuries to Ricky Dyson and Michael Hurley.

Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said that Hurley will undergo precautionary tests this week but is still expected to play against Port Adelaide.

“We are hopeful that Michael won’t miss any football,” Hamilton said.

“It is a case of a little bit of wait and see and we are in the process of getting a little bit of further advice.

“While we don’t think it is anything major, we want to make sure it is all alright but at the moment our medical department and conditioning staff are saying they expect him to play this week.”

Hamilton said Dyson’s injury is more serious and he will miss 4-6 weeks.

Meanwhile the Bombers have received some good news in regard to injuries to young guns Tayte Pears and Kyle Reimers, with both players due back earlier than expected.