Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Paul Curtis rough conduct ban will be challenged at the Australian Football League tribunal after North Melbourne confirmed it will contest the forward’s three-game suspension.
The ban came from Saturday’s match against West Coast Eagles, where wingman Hamish Davis was concussed in the first quarter after being tackled by Curtis.
The tribunal case comes during a busy period of Australian Football League off-field news, including Bobby Hill Collingwood Future in Doubt After Training Absence, as clubs deal with selection and disciplinary issues. Fans can follow official updates through the Australian Football League website.
Curtis Faces Tuesday Hearing
The incident was graded as careless conduct, severe impact and high contact.
Davis’s arms were pinned in the tackle, leaving him unable to protect himself as he was brought to ground.
North Melbourne will argue its case on Tuesday night in a bid to reduce or overturn the suspension.
Curtis has been in a similar position before, having unsuccessfully challenged a three-match ban last year for a tackle on Port Adelaide player Josh Sinn.
Gold Coast Also Under Tribunal Watch
The tribunal will also receive a written submission from Gold Coast Suns over Daniel Rioli’s fine for umpire contact.
If the fine is upheld, Gold Coast could face an Australian Football League penalty of up to $50,000.
That is because it would be the club’s fifth umpire contact penalty this season.
The Curtis case will be watched closely because dangerous tackles remain a key focus for the league, especially when a player is concussed and forced out of a match.