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Port star scrutinised in early test for AFL bump rules

3 minute read

Port Adelaide's Sam Powell-Pepper will learn his fate on Monday when the AFL match review officer assesses the high bump which concussed Adelaide's Mark Keane.

Sam Powell-Pepper.
Sam Powell-Pepper. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images

AFL rules around high bumps face their first searching test of the year when Port Adelaide forward Sam Powell-Pepper is scrutinised over the contact that concussed Adelaide's Mark Keane.

Powell-Pepper will learn his fate on Monday when the league's match review officer hands down the findings from the first week of trial matches.

The 26-year-old, who has been added to the Power's leadership group this year, faces a possible hefty ban.

He is under the microscope after making contact with Keane's head in a hip-and-shoulder bump in the first quarter of Friday night's drawn Port-Crows trial match.

Keane had possession and was caught in a Willie Rioli tackle that swung the Adelaide defender as Powell-Pepper charged in.

Powell-Pepper's right shoulder struck Keane on the right side of his head.

Keane slumped to the ground as Crows staff rushed to his aid, with the Irish-born backman soon helped from the field by two medicos.

There was some suggestion Keane suffered a broken jaw, but Adelaide were yet to confirm an update on his condition as of Sunday night.

The incident occurred just hours after Melbourne premiership player Angus Brayshaw was forced to retire on medical advice to protect his long-term health and wellbeing.

Brayshaw, 28, was concussed multiple times throughout his career, most recently in a collision with Collingwood's Brayden Maynard during last year's finals.

That incident led to the AFL tightening rules around smothering attempts, placing a greater duty of care on players to avoid making high contact with opponents.

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