Sydney will have to face a red-hot West Coast without Ted Richards unless the fullback decides to contest a one-game AFL ban for rough conduct.
Richards collected the head of Hawthorn midfielder Sam Mitchell with his shoulder in the opening stages of the Swans’ 89-point loss on Saturday night.
Without a successful appeal, the Swans will head to Perth without their premiership defender to face one of the league’s most formidable attacks.
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Richards is unlikely to roll the dice at the tribunal given the damning video evidence and the threat of a two-week ban if unsuccessful.
In addition to Richards’ ban, the AFL handed out 13 fines totalling $13,500 from the round 15.
Swans Luke Parker and Lewis Jetta were among those hit, handed rough conduct fines of $1000 for indiscretions from the same match.
A melee in Friday night’s match between rivals North Melbourne and Essendon resulted in fines for Kangaroos Shaun Atley and Taylor Garner as well as Bombers Michael Hurley and Michael Hibberd.
The match review panel threw out a charge laid against Magpies ruckman Jarrod Witts for tripping Brownlow medallist Matthew Priddis, saying the action was below a reportable force.
-AAP
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