Carlton captain avoids suspension for chicken-wing tackle on Hugo Garcia
Joanna Guelas
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps escaped punishment for his chicken wing tackle on St Kilda’s Hugo Garcia.
Charged with misconduct, Cripps can plead guilty early and accept a $1,000 fine for his tackle on Garcia in the third quarter of Carlton’s 39-point defeat to the Saints at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
Sanctions for the chicken wing challenge have varied; Fremantle forward Sam Switkowski received a two-match ban in 2022 for his tackle on then-Collingwood player Jack Ginnivan.
Former Richmond player Jack Riewoldt was fined in 2019, while two-time Brownlow Medal winner Chris Judd was handed a four-week suspension while playing for Carlton in 2012.
Judd’s tackle on Leigh Adams resulted in his North Melbourne rival dislocating his shoulder.
Cripps’ tackle led to a fiery clash with former Carlton teammate Jack Silvagni at Marvel Stadium; Jack Silvagni has joined fellow high-profile player Tom De Koning in a move to Saints.
Young Carlton defender Harry Dean was also charged with misconduct for pushing St Kilda’s Liam Ryan in the third quarter and could accept the same sanction with an early guilty plea.
However, Dean is expected to spend some time on the sidelines having scans to determine the extent of damage after discovering a groin issue.
Garcia was fined $1,000 for careless contact with the referee in the second quarter.
Elsewhere, West Coast youngster Elijah Hewett was fined $3000 for striking Richmond’s Nick Vlastuin in the third quarter at Optus Stadium.
AAP, more to come
