Mumford facing ban over Ablett tackle

Sydney's ruck depth faces a serious test for two big upcoming AFL clashes after
Shane Mumford was hit with a suspension for a dangerous tackle on Geelong star Gary
Ablett.
The two-game ban - if Mumford pleads guilty to rough conduct - comes at a terrible
time for the Swans, already missing their other main ruckman Mark Seaby with a
long-term ankle injury.
Canadian Mike Pyke played his first game of the AFL season, and ninth overall, as
Mumford's back-up as the Swans were thrashed by the Cats to fall from the top of the
ladder at Skilled Stadium on Sunday.
Unless Mumford successfully challenges the charge, Pyke will now have to shoulder
the No.1 berth in vital matches against the Western Bulldogs in Canberra on Saturday
and Fremantle at the SCG a week later.
The round nine clash with the in-form Dockers and their dominant big man Aaron
Sandilands looms as particularly daunting for an under-strength Swans' ruck brigade.
Mumford was cited for a tackle in which he slammed Ablett to the turf in the final
quarter, the star midfielder's head crashing into the ground.
Swans coach Paul Roos said the club would weigh up whether to contest the charge.
The former Cat - traded to the Swans last October - will risk a three-game
suspension if he takes the case to the tribunal on Tuesday night.
He fell victim to the new dangerous tackles category introduced this season as part
of the rough conduct charge.
Struggling Hawthorn also received a blow from the match review panel, midfielder
Chance Bateman facing a three-match suspension for a high bump on West Coast's Brad
Sheppard on Saturday.
Carryover demerit points from a prior offence mean Bateman will miss three games
whether he accepts the charge or fights it at the tribunal and loses.
The disciplinary blow comes just as the Hawks' injury crisis was easing, with Shaun
Burgoyne likely to make his debut for the club, and other stars Sam Mitchell and
Lance Franklin a good chance to return from injury against Richmond on Saturday.
Tigers defender Dean Polo was the other player to cop a suspension, for striking
Adelaide's Richard Douglas to the body in the last quarter of Sunday's AAMI Stadium
clash.
A penalty reduction for his previous clean record means the Tiger will only miss one
game whether he pleads guilty or visits the tribunal and loses.
The other player cited from the weekend's first seven games was Brisbane's Matthew
Leuenberger, set to be fined for making negligent umpire contact.