McNeil concussion a factor in Rampe tribunal hearing

Shayne Hope | July 18, 2023

The Western Bulldogs’ medical report on Lachlan McNeil is set to add an intriguing element to Sydney co-captain Dane Rampe’s AFL tribunal hearing.

Rampe will face the tribunal on Tuesday night to challenge the two-match ban he was dealt for rough conduct over a collision with the Bulldogs midfielder.

McNeil was clearly hurt in the off-the-ball incident, which occurred during the Swans’ nailbiting win last Thursday night, but played out the match.

On Monday, the Bulldogs confirmed the 22-year-old had experienced delayed concussion.

“Lachie McNeil received some heavy contact off the ball in the first quarter,” Bulldogs head of sports medicine Chris Bell said in the club’s weekly medical update.

“When he was assessed at the time, he was winded from the heavy hit.

“He completed the game without any obvious concerns, but then post-game reported that he started to suffer from some subtle signs that can be related to concussion.

“After clinical assessment, the doctors confirmed that McNeil had suffered some delayed signs of concussion.”

Swans coach John Longmire defended Rampe, claiming the experienced backman was focused on reaching a contest rather than making any contact with McNeil.

“Dane was doing what he needs to do, which is getting in a position to try and get up the ground and spoil,” Longmire told reporters on Monday.

“There was a last-minute change of direction and unfortunately accidents happen in football.”

Carlton’s Jordan Boyd will also face the tribunal, having been referred directly over his dangerous tackle on Port Adelaide’s Darcy Byrne-Jones.

Byrne-Jones was concussed in the incident, with Boyd’s actions graded as careless conduct, high impact and high contact.