Carlton midfielder Adam Cerra is likely to miss next week’s clash against Melbourne and become the latest player to fall victim to a dangerous tackle grading.
Cerra tackled Tom Hickey during Friday night’s loss to Sydney and slammed the Swans ruckman into the turf, with his head bouncing off the ground.
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While Cerra didn’t pin Hickey’s arms, the match review officer could find Hickey was still vulnerable as a result of Cerra’s technique.
That would constitute a tackle of an “inherently dangerous” kind.
If graded as such, the incident would likely be careless conduct with medium impact and high contact, in line with several other incidents this year that have resulted in a one-match ban.
Cerra would add to the Blues’ woes, which include as many as four injuries from Friday night’s loss.
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Patrick Cripps suffered an ankle injury in the second half and, although he returned to play, looked laboured and will be a test for next week.
George Hewett was concussed following friendly fire from Nic Newman, before Newman himself suffered a hamstring strain.
Topping off the Blues’ troubles was an AC joint injury to Ollie Hollands after a bump from Lance Franklin late in the third quarter.
Sydney for its part will likely be without Luke Parker in its round 13 game against St Kilda (the Swans have the bye in round 12) for a dangerous tackle of his own.
Parker’s tackle on Sam Walsh in the third quarter saw the star veteran pin his opponent’s arm and drive him to the ground with force.
A similar grading to Cerra is likely, which would see Parker ruled out for Lance Franklin’s 350th AFL game.
