PORT ADELAIDE defender Xavier Walsh has been suspended for the next two SANFL matches by the SANFL’s Match Review Panel.
Walsh was charged with rough conduct for a high bump on Glenelg’s Riley Holder late in the last quarter of Friday evening’s game at Stratarama Stadium.
The panel assessed the incident as careless with high contact and of high impact, though Holder returned to his feet and took the resulting free kick.
The club has elected not to challenge the two-match sanction, meaning Walsh will miss the next two SANFL fixtures against West Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens following this weekend’s state game.
Walsh’s fellow first-year player Lachie Charleson was also cited by the Match Review Panel for what was deemed to be a dangerous tackle during the same match.
The MRP cited Charleson for rough conduct, labelling his tackle on Glenelg’s Cole Gerloff in the first quarter as careless with high contact and of low impact.
The young forward’s penalty is a $125 fine and reprimand, but he is free to travel to Waikerie to face the Bloods in the Russell Ebert tribute match on Sunday 14 April.