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Carlton hit by suspension as Western Bulldogs receive good news for elimination AFL final

Liam Jones and Matt Owies both came under scrutiny from the AFL match review officer.

ben talintyre
Sports Reporter
·3-min read

Key Western Bulldogs defender Liam Jones is free to play, but dynamic Carlton forward Matt Owies will miss the first week of AFL finals after being offered a one-match ban. Jones was expected to be banned for his dumping tackle on Aaron Cadman, but is now eligible to play in the first final of his 14-season, 199-game AFL career.

Jones was penalised for the tackle just 18 seconds into Sunday's 37-point win over the Giants. As Cadman took possession inside 50, Jones pinned his right arm and drove him into the ground, with the forward's head slamming hard into the turf.

Pictured L-R: Liam Jones, Matt Owies tackle against the Giants and Matt Owies
Liam Jones and Matt Owies are in serious danger of missing AFL finals action after committing nasty tackles in their respective round 24 matches. Image: Getty/Fox Footy/Getty

The forward was given a free kick for a dangerous tackle as Cadman's teammates immediately rushed in furious with Jones' tackle. Despite only pinning one arm, Jones used that leverage to drag the young Giants forward to ground forcefully. But the rough-conduct incident was only assessed as careless conduct, low impact and high contact, meaning Jones can escape with a $2500 fine with an early guilty plea.

The AFL suspended GWS defender Lachie Ash for a similar tackle on Fremantle’s Hayden Young last week, with Ash pinning only one arm but taking Young to the ground with force. That precedent was expected to see Jones suspended for a medium impact rough conduct charge. The 33-year-old is a crucial part of the Bulldogs' backline and would be a massive loss if unavailable.

Carlton’s dynamic goalscorer Owies wasn't so lucky and will miss the first week of finals after committing a driving tackle on Saints hero Jack Higgins. Owies has become crucial in the Blues' top-eight hunt, kicking the third most goals at the club as injuries wreak havoc through their small forward ranks.

But they will have to play their match against last year's grand finalists, the Brisbane Lions, without him after he was charged for his chase-down tackle on Higgins late in the loss to St Kilda. The tackle saw him pin both of his opponent's arms as Higgins tipped forward, with the forward's head smacking the turf. The incident was classified as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact.

While a free kick wasn't paid and Higgins was able to play on, it seems a cut-and-dry suspension given the precedent set throughout the 2024 season. Carlton would find it tough to overturn a potential suspension for Owies but has shown in recent seasons it is not afraid to take on the AFL tribunal.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUG 18: Matthew Owies of the Blues celebrates a goal during the 2024 AFL Round 23 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Carlton Blues at Optus Stadium on August 18, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Matt Owies has become crucial in the Blues' top-eight hunt in 2024., kicking the third most goals at the club. Image: Getty

  • Second qualifying final: Port Adelaide v Geelong - Thursday September 5, Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm

  • Second elimination final: Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn - Friday September 6, MCG, 7.40pm

  • First qualifying final: Sydney v GWS - Saturday September 7, SCG, 3.20pm

  • First elimination final: Brisbane Lions v Carlton - Saturday September 7, Gabba, 7.30pm

with AAP