Gold Coast forward’s big ban reduced following VFL incident, ex-Collingwood forward suspended.

Gold Coast rookie Will Rowlands has been suspended for three matches for an incident in the VFL over the weekend, with the teenager becoming the third Suns player to be handed a ban in recent days.

A fourth-quarter incident involving Rowlands and Richmond reserves player Chad Harris has seen the former charged with rough conduct by the VFL’s Match Review Panel.

The MRP graded Rowlands’ actions as careless conduct, severe impact and high contact, with a minimum four-week suspension handed down to the 19-year-old.

The Suns and Rowlands decided to challenge the suspension at the VFL Tribunal on Wednesday evening, with Gold Coast successfully lowering the ban to three weeks after managing to have the contract grading moved from ‘high’ to ‘body’.

Gold Coast’s VFL outfit is scheduled to face GWS, Brisbane, Coburg and Essendon in the next four weeks before a potential finals-deciding Round 21 meeting with Casey.

The suspension for Rowlands also sees his chances of an AFL debut this year become unlikely, with opportunities likely on offer at selection this week following AFL suspensions to duo Alex Davies and Malcolm Rosas in the wake of the club’s Round 18 win over Port Adelaide.

Davies has been handed a three-week suspension for forceful front-on contact, while Rosas has been hit with a one-game ban for striking.

The Suns challenged Davies’ suspension at the AFL Tribunal this week, but were unsiccefful in reducing or clearing the ban.

Elsewhere in the VFL, Carlton forward and ex-Collingwood AFL-listed player Liam McMahon has been handed and accepted a one-game suspension for rough conduct.

The incident from Sunday’s clash between the Blues and Footscray has seen McMahon offered a two-game suspension for an incident involving young Bulldogs defender Jedd Busslinger in the second term.

Graded as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact, the incident has led to a one-game suspension for McMahon.

Carlton’s reserves are scheduled to face Collingwood this weekend prior to their Round 18 bye, with a match against Brisbane to come the week after their break.