Melbourne young gun Jacob van Rooyen could face a lengthy ban after a spoil attempt went horribly wrong and cleaned up Suns defender Charlie Ballard instead.
Ballard was forced from the field in a medicab in the final quarter after the sickening hit from van Rooyen as Melbourne survived a huge scare to run out 13. 12. (90) to 13. 7. (85) winners over the Suns at Metricon Stadium.
There was no malice from the 20-year-old, who immediately raised his hands to apologise after realising he’d taken out Ballard, but that might not save him when the match review officer scrutinises the incident on Sunday.
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“Anything that results in head contact will get looked at, and needs to be,” Hawks legend Jason Dunstall said on Fox Footy’s coverage at the time of the incident.
Making matters worse for Ballard was the fact the hit from van Rooyen was the second to his head in the match after copping a knee from Kysaiah Pickett earlier on in the match.
However, despite the frightening scenes surrounding Ballard’s exit from the game, Suns coach Stuart Dew was optimistic that he’d avoided any serious injuries, saying his exit was simply “precautionary”.
It was a gallant effort from an undermanned Suns side which played without the likes of Touk Miller, Ben Ainsworth and Lachie Weller, and Dew was encouraged by the performance despite the end result.
“I don’t want to be too buoyant about a loss, but gees there’s a fair bit of heart and togetherness about this group, in adversity as well,” Dew said.
“I talked to our players about belief and I don’t think I need to convince them after tonight.
“I could feel something in the rooms.”
Noah Anderson stepped up in a huge way for the Suns, finishing with 37 disposals and a goal, while Malcolm Rosas was dynamic in the forward 50 with four straight goals.
The Suns will travel to Perth next week to take on the West Coast Eagles, while Melbourne will return home to face Hawthorn at the MCG.
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