In Brief:
-Carlton defender cops suspension
-Gold Coast prospect suffers serious shoulder injury
-Clarkson receives extension
The 2014 AFL season kicked off last weekend with the split round format producing five major blockbusters. Here are the big headlines following the weekend’s action.
Carlton began its 2014 campaign in poor in shape courtesy of a 33-point loss to the Power on Sunday and the club will have to contend with Richmond at the MCG on Thursday, March 27 without star defender Andrew Walker.
Walker was surprisingly let off for his big mid-air hit on Port gun Justin Westhoff (seen at 1:00 mark of below video) but has been offered a one-match ban for throwing Angus Monfires into the Etihad Stadium fence.
An early plea will see Walker miss just the single game, however the 27-year-old risks adding another week to the total should he contest the Match Review Panel’s offering.
Fremantle Dockers Crush Collingwood In AFL Season Opener
Promising Gold Coast teen Jack Martin suffered a serious injury to the AC joint in his left shoulder during the Suns’ shock 99-67 win over Sydney on Saturday.
The 19-year-old was playing in his first game since being taken with the first pick in the 2012 Mini Draft and could miss up to four months after the club revealed Martin had endured “extensive damage”.
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has signed a two-year contract extension with the Hawks.
Clarkson’s new deal will run out at the end of the 2016 season, taking his time at the club as coach to a significant 12 seasons.
The 45-year-old replaced Peter Schwab as coach following the 2004 season and has won premierships in 2008 and 2013.
“Our big challenge, having just won the flag, is giving ourselves the chance to win it again,” Clarkson said Monday.
“We just want to try and finish top four, and then at the end of each year give ourselves the best chance to go deep into September.”
Get amongst CraveOnlineAU on Twitter and Facebook for daily sport, music, entertainment and gaming news.
