Veteran Swans defender Dane Rampe could MISS AFL grand final after ugly bump on Port Adelaide star Zak Butters
- Former co-captain slapped Zak Butters
- The incident is being assessed by MRO
- Faces suspended for grand final
Sydney’s Dane Rampe is anxiously awaiting the match judge’s verdict after knocking down Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters in the first quarter of their winning preliminary final.
Rampe opted to throw a punch as he approached Butters, raising his arm and appearing to hit the Power star high after delivering a quick handball.
Butters was immediately on his feet as the Power were awarded a free kick from the ground.
After Sydney’s 14.11 (95) to 8.11 (59) victory, Rampe told ABC Radio that “it wasn’t a great success” and that he was not worried about the prospect of missing the grand final through suspension.
Should Rampe be handed a suspension, the Swans will certainly take the matter to court.
Sydney face a tough week in terms of selection, regardless of what happens with Rampe.
Captain Callum Mills watched the lopsided clash with Port from the coaching box, having been forced to miss out with a minor hamstring injury.
Young striker Logan McDonald, who did not participate in the 2022 final, suffered a foot injury late on Friday evening.
Rampe, who was celebrating his 250th game, led the Swans in Mills’ absence.
Former Sydney Swans co-captain Dane Rampe could miss AFL finals over jump
Zak Butters (left) was able to continue playing after the impact, but the MRO will investigate the incident
Swans fans will be hoping the experienced defender will be available for the deciding match at the MCG
Striker Logan McDonald (two goals) could also miss the deciding match with an ankle injury after a collision with Miles Bergman in the final half.
The Swans, who shook off the humiliation of their 112-point defeat to the Power last month, won 14.11 (95) to 8.11 (59) after a dominant performance through four quarters at the SCG on Friday night.
The minor champions, who received a standing ovation from the 44,053 spectators present, will play the winners of the preliminary rounds Geelong-Brisbane in the deciding match at the MCG on September 28.
It is the first time John Longmire’s men have defeated the Power since 2016, following their round 21 defeat at Adelaide Oval.
“It’s a great place to be. It’s what you work for,” Longmire said.
‘We executed as well as we could today, our method was really good.
“We were strong in the game. We focused on our process, lived in the moment and got the job done.”
Sydney Swans champions Isaac Heeney and Rampe are sent off after the win
Meanwhile, Port coach Ken Hinkley suffered another failure in the play-offs.
Hinkley is the unwanted record holder for the most games a VFL/AFL coach has gone without reaching the finals, having previously suffered three preliminary round defeats in 2014, 2020 and 2021.
He has a contract until the end of next season.
“They deserve the win. They deserve to play next week,” Hinkley said.
‘We accept that they were the best team in the competition and finished top of the table for a reason.
“We knew we had to be at our best and we just couldn’t compete with them tonight.”