Two-match ban for Carlton skipper Cripps

Carlton’s finals hopes have been dealt a huge blow after captain Patrick Cripps was handed a two-match ban for his high bump on Brisbane’s Callum Ah Chee.

Cripps caught Ah Chee high in the second quarter after jumping in the air in a marking contest.

The hit concussed Ah Chee, who was subbed out of the game.

The AFL’s match review officer graded the rough conduct incident as careless conduct, high contact and high impact, drawing a two-match ban.

If Carlton accepts the decision or are unsuccessful in overturning it, Cripps will miss the club’s challenging last two regular season games against Melbourne and Collingwood.

Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/Getty Images

The Blues (12-8) are currently seventh, but two losses in the final two rounds could dump them out of the finals.

After Sunday’s 33-point loss to Brisbane, Carlton coach Michael Voss mounted a spirited defence of Cripps.

“I thought it was a good contest,” Voss.

“The umpire probably told the story, didnt he? He didn’t pay a free kick, did he?

“From what I’ve seen the arms were outstretched and it was a pretty even contest.

“If we are asking players to make micro-second decisions, I don’t know whether the game enables that. I really don’t.”

Voss said Ah Chee failing to play out the game should not be a factor in any potential sanctioning of Cripps.

“I don’t think he is there to cradle the person to the ground, is he?” Voss said.

“It was unfortunate, we hope he is okay. Clearly, we have empathy in terms of that side of things but we’ve also got to respect that the game is going to be evenly contested, and that looked like an even contest to me.”

Star West Coast midfielder Tim Kelly was offered a one-match ban for his dangerous tackle on Adelaide’s Sam Berry.

Sydney’s Callum Mills and North Melbourne’s Curtis Taylor can each accept $1000 fines if they plead guilty to wrestling charges.