More bans for Waite and Fletcher
Carlton will encourage key-position player Jarrad Waite to scrutinise his game to determine how he can end a run of reports that has resulted in another AFL suspension.
Waite is becoming a regular before the match review panel, as he has been reported three times in his past four games for bumping opponents.
His latest indiscretion, a late bump on Fremantle's Paul Duffield at Etihad Stadium last Saturday night, earned him a two-game suspension after he pleaded guilty to engaging in rough play on Tuesday.
Waite was also suspended for two games for bumping Port Adelaide's Jason Davenport in round eight and was reported in his return game for a similar incident against Melbourne's Matthew Bate in round 11, but was cleared of any wrongdoing.
The bumping rule has been a contentious one this season, and Blues midfielder Richard Hadley expected the club to get Waite to assess whether he needed to make contact with opponents.
"It's such a hard one these days," Hadley said.
"He's been unfortunate, a few of them have been touch and go so the club will look at it with him and work with him.
"I'm not sure which direction they're going but I'm sure they'll have a look and see if there's anything he can be doing not to come under scrutiny."
Waite's suspension and the season-ending knee injury suffered by ruckman Matthew Kreuzer have come at a bad time for Carlton.
Their loss to the Dockers was their second in succession and left them with a 7-6 win-loss record, which means they are in the eight on percentage only.
"It's unfortunate again for Waitey, but hopefully we can cover those blokes," Hadley said.
Waite was not the only repeat offender suspended after the first weekend of round 13, as Essendon veteran Dustin Fletcher was also banned for the second time this season.
Fletcher accepted a ban for kneeing Hawthorn's Beau Muston at the MCG last Friday night.
The key defender also served a one-game ban earlier this year, for tripping the Western Bulldogs' Barry Hall, and his latest sanction will take to 16 the number of games he will have missed through suspension during his long career.
All the other players cited by the match review panel accepted the penalties on offer.
Brisbane Lions pair Michael Rischitelli and Sam Sheldon and Richmond's Jack Riewoldt and Jake King were all fined $1200 for engaging in a melee at half-time during last Saturday night's clash at the Gabba.
Fremantle's Kepler Bradley accepted a reprimand for striking Carlton's Bret Thornton.
Carlton's Andrew Carrazzo was fined $1950 for making reckless contact with an umpire.
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