Brayden Maynard has been sent straight to the Tribunal and won’t play again in 2023, barring a Tribunal and potential Appeal Board hearing.
Maynard collected Angus Brayshaw in the first quarter of Collingwood’s Qualifying Final win on Thursday night in the most speculated incident of the year.
But the Match Review Officer opinion is the only one that matters and the verdict was handed down late on Friday evening.
It was graded the incident as careless conduct, severe impact and high contact.
It's understood new footy boss Laura Kane was influential in the grading of the incident.
Brayden Maynard will be sent directly to the tribunal for his bump on Angus Brayshaw.
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) September 8, 2023
Careless conduct, high contact, severe impact.
It appears Laura Kane, stamping her authority, was the key decision-maker. Stephen Meade, Gil & Andrew Dillon also influential. @1116sen…
Patrick Dangerfield: "In my view, there is nothing in this."
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 7, 2023
Matthew Richardson: "What else can he do?"
Angus Brayshaw has been stretchered off the ground after a big collision with Brayden Maynard.#AFLPiesDees pic.twitter.com/Zm7bgLo60j
Demons midfielder Brayshaw required a stretcher to leave the field and didn’t return. He’ll be unavailable for Melbourne’s Semi Final next week against either Carlton or Sydney.
If Collingwood takes the decision to the Tribunal, that would likely be heard next week. The Magpies could also then go to the AFL Appeal Board if still dissatisfied with the outcome, as the GWS Giants did this week with Toby Bedford.
Maynard has only missed one game in 2023 and had 16 disposals in the seven-point win.
Meanwhile, Melbourne forward Jacob Van Rooyen has been suspended for a week.
A stray elbow on Dan McStay was graded careless conduct, high contact and medium impact, meaning he is unavailable for Melbourne's Semi Final.