Jack Higgins' rough conduct charge has been upheld at the AFL Tribunal on St Kilda night, with the Saints forward’s ban remaining at three weeks.
St Kilda and Higgins had attempted to fight off the charge that resulted when he concussed Port Adelaide’s Aliir Aliir with a dangerous tackle.
Higgins, 25, told the Tribunal he executed what he thought was a good tackle on Aliir and suggested Aliir’s decision to kick the ball was a big contributing factor in the concussion.
A biomechanist, appearing for the Saints, said her belief was that the contact between Aliir’s head and the ground would not have been as severe if he had not elected to kick.
Jack Higgins has been handed a three-match suspension for this tackle on Aliir Aliir.
— AFL (@AFL) April 27, 2024
Full details: https://t.co/knAkrZeKEX pic.twitter.com/oXt4yiPRwr
But the Tribunal - in a hearing lasting over three and a half hours and a deliberation spanning almost two hours - ultimately sided with the AFL’s case and Higgins will miss Rounds 8, 9 and 10.
The Saints are blessed with a favourable draw over that time, playing North Melbourne, Hawthorn and Fremantle.
Higgins currently leads St Kilda’s goalkicking in 2024, having booted 13 majors through the first seven games.
Fellow small forward Dan Butler is currently battling a hamstring strain and won’t play in Higgins’ place, but Max King, Mason Wood and Hunter Clarke are all listed as tests for this weekend’s clash against the Roos.