The Gold Coast Suns are bracing for potential scrutiny from the Match Review Officer (MRO) after a couple of off-the-ball incidents marred their practice match against the Brisbane Lions on Thursday night. The Suns ultimately fell short by 25 points, but the focus has quickly shifted to the actions of two players, Jed Walter and Jy Farrar, during the final quarter.
Incidents Under Review
Both Walter and Farrar were involved in separate bumps that occurred away from the play, raising concerns about potential penalties.
- Jed Walter’s High Bump: Walter is facing a likely grading of intentional with medium impact for his collision with Zane Zakostelsky. The Lions youngster had just disposed of the ball when he was collected by Walter’s bump, which appeared to make high contact. A grading of intentional with medium impact typically results in a two-match suspension. Fortunately for the Suns, Zakostelsky was able to continue playing and finish the match.
- Jy Farrar’s Intentional Bump: Farrar’s incident presents a slightly more ambiguous situation for the MRO. While his bump was also deemed intentional, the primary contact was directed towards Darcy Wilmot’s body. However, the resulting whiplash effect from the collision could lead to a charge for high contact. The impact of this incident is expected to be graded as either medium or high. If it’s deemed high impact with high contact, Farrar could be referred directly to the AFL Tribunal. A medium impact with high contact, on the other hand, would likely result in a two-match ban. Like Zakostelsky, Wilmot was also able to complete the game without further issue.
Other Player Notes and Season Kick-off
Beyond the disciplinary concerns, the practice match also provided insights into player form and team readiness.
Brisbane Lions:
- Untried defender Luke Lloyd sustained an ankle injury in an unrelated incident during the match, adding a minor concern for the Lions.
- Logan Morris was a standout performer for Brisbane, booting an impressive four goals.
- Zac Bailey also demonstrated his influence on the game.
- Charlie Cameron appears poised for a strong resurgence this season, showing signs of returning to his dominant pre-2025 form after a relatively quieter home-and-away campaign last year.
Gold Coast Suns:
- Christian Petracca continued his strong pre-season form, earning recognition as the best-performing player for the second consecutive practice match.
- Wil Powell showcased his dynamism in his new midfield role, impressing with his contributions.
The Brisbane Lions will officially launch their season on March 7th at the Gabba, taking on the Western Bulldogs. The Gold Coast Suns will commence their campaign the day before, on March 6th, at People First Stadium against Geelong. The upcoming MRO findings will undoubtedly add an extra layer of anticipation to the opening rounds for both clubs.
