Collingwood has failed to beat a two-match ban handed out to star defender Brayden Maynard.
Maynard was handed the suspension for a head-high hit on GWS Giants forward Daniel Lloyd during the Magpies’ pre-season loss to the Giants, with the hit assessed as careless, high impact and high contact by the match review officer.
Tonight the Magpies were unsuccessful at the tribunal, meaning Maynard will miss both Collingwood’s season-opener against St Kilda as well as its Round 2 clash against Adelaide.
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Losing Maynard is a huge blow to first-year coach Craig McRae, with the running defender a vital cog to the Magpies’ defence. He appeared in 22 games last season, averaging a career-best 21 disposals per game.
Maynard was far from the only player to be cited out of what was an unusually fiery pre-season hitout.
Teammate Nathan Kreuger was handed a one-match ban for engaging in rough conduct with Giants veteran Callan Ward, with Collingwood electing not to challenge the call.
Giants ruckman Braydon Preuss was also handed a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle on Collingwood star Brodie Grundy.
Elsewhere in the AFL, West Coast defender Alex Witherden was also handed a one-match ban for engaging in rough conduct with Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw.