Buckley, Lyon forecast expected Stewart suspension

A four-week suspension seems about right for Geelong’s Tom Stewart, according to Nathan Buckley.

The former Collingwood coach, along with Melbourne great Garry Lyon, have gone over the incident which concussed Richmond’s Dion Prestia and sent Stewart straight to the Tribunal.

Buckley believes the actions of the All-Australian Cats defender should lead to a four-week ban, suggesting that a three-week sanction would be less than expected.

“The detail that we can now unpack, you nearly know what he’s going to get depending on – is it careless or is it deliberate or intentional or is it severe or is it high,” Buckley said on SEN Breakfast.

“When Mitch (Cleary) mentioned (the chance of) two weeks, I’ve got to admit I thought that sounds unders.

“I think three is the minimum and I think it’s likely to be three or four depending on how it comes down given the submissions of Geelong and Richmond.”

The MRO deemed Stewart’s head-high bump to be careless conduct, severe impact and high contact.

Lyon could not agree with the fact it came in as careless.

“I don’t think it’s careless, from what I saw that was an intentional hit,” he said.

“I said at the time it’s a three, four or five-week penalty. I don’t know where it sits or how it sits.”

Buckley replied: “Even three feels a little bit unders, I settle on four, which is a month of footy, it’s a significant penalty.”

Those comments prompted a further discussion on the penalty and how the Tigers suffered on game day when their important midfielder was sidelined, while Stewart was available to roam free and impact the game which the Cats eventually won by three points.

Lyon: “And there was a significant penalty for Richmond.”

Buckley: “There was a goal kicked whilst he was down on the ground, they lost the game by less than a goal, the opposition get rewarded in some sense off the back of that action and because of that action.”

They pondered the idea of a red card or send off rule, which was floated in the aftermath.

Lyon: “Are you a red card fan?”

Buckley: “No, I’m not.”

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The idea of Cats coach Chris Scott, who floated a future suspension, was also on the agenda.

Scott said post-match: “Richmond are the one that have suffered the penalty, North Melbourne (who play Geelong in Round 16) shouldn’t get the benefit next week.

“They get no benefit whatsoever for losing one of their best players.”

Lyon: “This interested me and I know Chris Scott alluded to – and I’m not a red card fan either – but next time Geelong play Richmond, Tom Stewart doesn’t play as part of the penalty.

“It’s left-field.”

Buckley: “Really? Chris Scott mentioned that?”

Lyon: “He’s saying the team who is most penalised is Richmond, the team that is most benefitted is North Melbourne who they play next week.

“His point is exactly that – the team that is most penalised should be the one who is the beneficiary next time around.”

Buckley: “What if it’s the Grand Final?”

Lyon: “The you’d have to put a rating on it, you’d have to say like for like.

“If you get suspended in a Grand Final it’s double penalty. So if it’s a home and away (match) you go, ‘next time, if you play Richmond in a home and away, no Tom Stewart’.”

Buckley: “Ok, so if Geelong play Richmond in this year’s Grand Final and the same thing happens…

“So, next year they play in the Grand Final, Tom Stewart can’t play in that?”

Lyon: “Yep.”

Buckley laughs.

Stewart’s case will be heard on Tuesday night.