Bombers star is busted in sneak attack on Collingwood gun Nick Daicos during Anzac Day clash – as the punch splits angry AFL fans down the middle
- Jye Caldwell could face ban for punch
- Hit Daicos in third quarter on Anzac Day
- Match review officer examining incident
Jye Caldwell could be facing a suspension for punching Magpies lynchpin Nick Daicos in the guts during Collingwood’s stirring Anzac Day victory with the Essendon star sweating on a medical report from Collingwood.
The midfielder struck Daicos in the third quarter at the MCG on Tuesday and left his opponent writhing in pain in an act that could see him facing a one-match ban despite the fact similar incidents usually only draw a fine from the AFL.
Fans have been left divided by the hit, with some accusing Collingwood’s young gun of an Oscar-worthy dive, while others labelled him ‘weak’ and said he deserved to miss three matches.
Caldwell could miss a match if match review officer Michael Christian receives a report indicating the blow bruised Daicos or left him hampered at training.
Jye Caldwell hit Daicos with a left hand to the guts (pictured) in the third quarter of his side’s loss to Collingwood in a riveting Anzac Day clash
The blow left the Pies superstar writhing in pain on the ground for several seconds – but many footy fans have accused him of diving and say Caldwell shouldn’t be suspended
The Magpie cried out and collapsed to the ground as soon as he was struck with his team trailing by 10 points with 11 minutes to go in the third term
The 20-year-old stayed down for several seconds, grimacing in pain, while commentator Brian Taylor said, ‘That’s interesting, isn’t it? That might get him a week.’
Most fans were quick to disagree, blasting Daicos for acting up to get a free kick.
’10/10 dive,’ wrote one footy supporter on Twitter.
‘Goodness me, not much in that,’ another commented.
‘When was the last time a tummy tap got a week. You can’t penalise harder because he hit Bambi,’ wrote a third.
‘Definitely a week… to Daicos for staging!!’ joked another fan.
However, former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas is adamant the strike should result in a ban of as long as two games.
The Bombers midfielder (pictured tackling John Noble high during the match) is sweating on a report into the impact of the blow on Daicos
Some fans even said Daicos (pictured) is the one who should be suspended for ‘acting’
‘You relinquish ALL rights when you punch in my opinion,’ he tweeted on Tuesday, shortly after the full-time siren sounded.
‘Over exuberant tackles, accidental contact in the quest of a contest are not as bad as [a] deliberate punch.
‘I’m hearing a lot of support for Caldwell to get a fine or even [get] off. I’m staggered. That’s exactly the type of incident that deserves a week or 2.
‘Players are getting rubbed out for accidental, innocuous incidents. This was a deliberate punch that requires suspension.’
Some footy fans agreed.
‘Was a cheap shot but won’t get a week…pretty ordinary,’ one tweeted.
‘3 weeks!!!!’ wrote another.
If Caldwell does get rubbed out for a game he’ll miss the Bombers’ clash with a resurgent Geelong at the MCG on Sunday. Two matches will also see him sitting in the grandstand when Essendon take on Port at Adelaide Oval.
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