Aussie Rules player handed lengthy ban

A Sydney Australian Rules player who left an unsuspecting rival player with severe concussion after a cowardly punch has copped a seven-match ban from the tribunal.

Western Suburbs Magpies player Marcus Linsen headed to the AFL NSW/ACT tribunal after a sickening attack on Eastern Suburbs/University of NSW Bulldogs’ Alexander Thompson in the clubs’ premier division match last Saturday.

In footage obtained from the match, Thompson legally shepard Linsen before the Magpies player chases his unsuspecting rival and hits him in the face with a roundhouse punch.

Thompson is left prone on the ground.

And this evening, the tribunal left little doubt about the severity of the nasty incident, brandishing Linsin to a massive stint on the sidelines.

Earlier, a representative from the Bulldogs told Ninemsn he believed the punch had been borne out of frustration.

"I don't understand the actions of the player, they were disappointing," he said.

"It's difficult to put actions like that into any kind of perspective, but I understand there was frustration."

Thompson has been cleared of a broken jaw after having x-rays but will sit out the Bulldogs' final round match as a result of the concussion.

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