Port Adelaide forward Sam Powell-Pepper will come under scrutiny for a bump that concussed Adelaide defender Mark Keane during Friday’s AFL practice match.
Keane was slung around in a tackle by Power forward Willie Rioli as Powell-Pepper came charging in. The Power star the collected Keane in the head with his shoulder.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Sam Powell-Pepper’s bump on Mark Keane.
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Keane slumped to the ground as Crows staff rushed to his aid, with the Irish-born defender soon helped from the field by two medicos.
The incident is certain to be assessed by the match review officer in the coming days.
“The hit is certain to go under the microscope of the MRO and could even be sent straight to the tribunal, which would carry a minimum three-game suspension,” 7NEWS Adelaide reporter Andrew Hayes said.
While Port Adelaide have an official practice match next week, any suspension would be served in the season proper.
“We know the way Pep plays, he’s hard and tough, but I can’t comment on the actual contest,” Port assistant coach Chad Cornes said.
The incident is also another blow to Adelaide’s depleted stocks of tall defenders, with Keane placed under AFL concussion protocols for the next 12 days.
There was some suggestion of Keane suffering a broken jaw but Adelaide assistant coach Scott Burns was awaiting information post-game.
“Honestly, I haven’t seen him or checked with the doctors so I can’t really answer that,” Burns said.
Keane had been earmarked to fill a void left by sidelined big backmen Nick Murray (knee reconstruction) and Jordon Butts (foot).
Murray won’t be fit until mid-season while fullback Butts, who suffered a foot injury last July which ended his 2023 season, suffered a hamstring injury three weeks ago.
The off-season departure of versatile Tom Doedee to Brisbane has also thinned Adelaide’s taller options in defence.
Keane’s injury pushed the Crows into an early unveiling of prized draftee Daniel Curtin in a tall defensive slot in a free-flowing trial game before a 5,211-strong crowd at Port’s Alberton base.
Adelaide’s vaunted attack, the highest scoring in the league last season in the home-and-away rounds, again threatened.
Crow Ned McHenry kicked three goals and teammates Riley Thilthorpe, Darcy Fogarty, Izak Rankine, Josh Rachele and Ben Keays finished with two each.
Port’s Rioli, Darcy Byrne-Jones and Ryan Burton, rebounding from halfback, joined Powell-Pepper with two goals apiece as the match finished in an entertaining draw.
– With AAP
