'That was terrible': AFL world erupts over 'horrendous' incident
AFL great David King has called for a long suspension for Ben Long after a brutal bump knocked Sean Darcy out of St Kilda’s clash with Fremantle on Saturday.
Long is set for a stint on the sidelines after collecting Darcy in the head with his hip in the second quarter.
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Darcy bent down to pick up a loose ball but felt the full force of Long’s bump, leaving the Fremantle big man lying worse for wear on the field.
Darcy had to be helped from the field by trainers, with Fremantle later announcing he was concussed.
“The mediocre penalties for bumping the head has never been a deterrent- hence we still see instances like the Sean Darcy - Ben Long clash,” King posted on Twitter.
“Clear decision made by Long - 4 week suspension for me. Take a bloody stand!!”
The mediocre penalties for bumping the head has never been a deterrent- hence we still see instances like the Sean Darcy - Ben Long clash.
Clear decision made by Long - 4 week suspension for me.
Take a bloody stand!!— David King (@davidking34) July 11, 2020
Other fans and pundits were also furious with Long’s actions.
Weeks for Ben Long
— Daniel Cherny 📰 (@DanielCherny) July 11, 2020
I’m sorry but that was terrible by Ben Long. Throw the book at him #Aflfreosaints pic.twitter.com/N6R6s9XbTF
— 🔴 ⚫Andy Bombers 🔴⚫ (@andy_bombers) July 11, 2020
Just seen the Ben Long incident on the Freo player! @AFL that needs to be stamped out! 4 weeks minimum! #AFLFreoSaints
— Morsey (@WCE92940618) July 11, 2020
The more I see that Ben long challenge the worse it looks! Horrendous challenge and he knew exactly what he was doing! #foreverfreo #Aflfreosaints
— kelbo (@the_kelbo) July 11, 2020
Dockers beat Saints with insane comeback
Meanwhile, Fremantle's Lachie Schultz kicked a goal with just over a minute remaining to secure a stunning six-point win over at Metricon Stadium.
The Dockers trailed by 36 points at quarter-time and lost Darcy and Hayden Young to injury before half-time, but dug deep to kick eight-unanswered goals which set up the 12.7 (79) to 11.7 (73) win.
The Saints hit back with three goals in succession to tie the game up with just over two minutes left on the clock, but Schultz made no mistake from a set shot soon for a famous win.
Michael Walters set the tone for a bad start for Fremantle when he kicked the ball the wrong way from the opening bounce.
Nathan Wilson gave away a 50m penalty soon after, gifting St Kilda the first goal of the match through Tim Membrey.
With their midfield well on top, the Saints' forwards feasted on some poor defending to bang through seven majors to one to lead by six goals at the first break.
The Dockers were better early in the second term, but looked to have the job ahead of them when they lost Darcy.
But as their lead ruckman nursed a sore head, Matt Taberner kicked a goal with three minutes left in the quarter to begin the eight-goal run.
St Kilda's lead was 13 points at halftime, but their first-quarter run and carry was nowhere in evidence as they failed to register a score in the third term.
The Dockers led by eight points at three-quarter time and by 19 when Nat Fyfe kicked his second goal with just under 10 minutes left.
Membrey booted his third to spark the Saints, but Fremantle held their nerve to improve to a 2-4 record in their last match before leaving the Queensland hub to return to Perth.
with AAP
