Collingwood & Essendon Release Statements On MRP

Collingwood and Essendon will not be challenging the bans placed on Brodie Grundy or Zach Merrett. 

Grundy’s tackle on North Melbourne forward Ben Brown was graded as rough conduct, with the Magpie set to miss a fortnight.

Merrett accepted a 1 game ban for striking Lachie Plowman.

COLLINGWOOD STATEMENT:

Collingwood's football department has accepted the two game suspension given to Brodie Grundy by the Match Review Panel.

Grundy will miss the Magpies' upcoming trip to face Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval, as well as a round 22 clash with Geelong as a result of the suspension. 

It is the first time in Grundy's 81-game career he will miss a game due to suspension. 

The decision comes after the ruckman's highly-discussed tackle on Ben Brown during the second quarter of Collingwood's clash with North Melbourne on Saturday night.

ESSENDON STATEMENT:

Essendon has decided not to contest the one match ban handed to midfielder Zach Merrett.

The reigning Crichton Medal winner was charged with striking Carlton's Lachie Plowman.

The incident was assessed as intentional conduct with medium impact to the body. 

That equated to a two-match ban, but Merrett's early plea means he will spend one week on the sidelines.

Merrett hasn't missed a match since 2015 and has averaged 31 possessions per game this season.