Pies recruit hit with two-week ban for ugly hit, but will be back in time for Anzac Day
Updated . First published
Collingwood recruit Dan Houston has been suspended for two games after a high bump on Carlton's Lachie Fogarty on Thursday night.
However, the ban means he will be back in time to face Essendon on Anzac Day.
Houston missed the Magpies' opener due to a five-game suspension for a bump on Izak Rankine in what would turn out to be his final game in Port colours.
In the second quarter of Collingwood's 17-point win over the Blues, Houston left the ground and made contact with the side of Fogarty's head with his elbow.
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Collingwood's Dan Houston puts a nasty hit on Carlton's Lachie Fogarty. Fox Footy
Houston immediately put his hands out as if to apologise, while Fogarty came from the field for a concussion assessment, but returned a short time later.
The hit drew some comparison to Kysaiah Pickett's on Bailey Smith in early 2023. Pickett accepted a two-game ban.
Speaking after the game, the former Port Adelaide star explained his thought process in the moment.
"I thought I had a fair play on the ball and obviously I've gone to protect myself and those things happen," Houston said.
"I didn't actually realise it happened until you mentioned it. I was fully focused on the team.
"I think it's such a hard game to play, especially behind the ball. You've got to make those split-second decisions where you see the ball coming at you."
Speaking on Fox Footy's coverage, two-time All-Australian Leigh Montagna said Houston would get "at least" two weeks.
Houston made his Magpies debut against his old club having missed their Opening Round clash suspended. AFL Photos via Getty Images
High elbows and forearms to the head are usually assessed as intentional which elevates the seriousness of the charge and the length of suspension.
Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall said Collingwood would argue it wasn't intentional and the fact Fogarty was able to return to the field would help the Magpies' case.
But he suggested the AFL should look past the outcome and take a stand in trying to stamp out similar bumps.
"If (Fogarty) had been injured in that way, it would've been all sorts of trouble, so they'll try and argue it down to the bottom end," he said.
"If we're trying to stamp out that act, there has to be a suspension attached to it."
Crows legend Eddie Betts said it was the jumping motion that concerned him most.
"It was just the action, the way he came in with his shoulder and connected ... That's the action we're trying to stamp out of the game," he said.
"I tell you what, Dan Houston's very lucky Lachie Fogarty wasn't in strife and diagnosed with a concussion."
Dunstall went on to say he was surprised Houston was back in the sights of the MRC so soon after the Rankine hit.
This bump on Izak Rankine ended Houston's career at Port Adelaide. AFL Photos via Getty Images
"It's really strange because he doesn't strike me as that type of player that goes around looking to clean up opposition players," he said.
"Here he is for the second time now getting himself in trouble. He needs to rein it in."
Speaking on SEN, David King said Houston deserved a two-game suspension.
"It's always been a two-weeker, that action," he said.
"Do you have to wait for the outcome before you suspend or clamp down on things and this is one of those cases."
It soured an otherwise positive night for the Magpies, who claimed their third win.
The Blues, meanwhile, slumped to 0-4 and could find themselves on the bottom of the ladder outright come the end of the weekend.
