“Horrific look”: Collingwood coach and Australian sporting great debate Lachie Schultz suspension

Australian sporting great Andrew Gaze has been firm in his criticism of Collingwood forward Lachie Schultz and his punch to the back of Blake Acres’ head.

The Olympian believes a one-game ban isn’t sufficient for the hit, calling it a ‘horrific look’.

“I thought it was a horrific look and I don’t think one week was enough for the act. It’s one of the worst acts, hitting someone from behind in the back of the head,” Gaze told SEN’s The Run Home.

Gaze had the opportunity to put the question to Collingwood coach Craig McRae regarding the Schultz incident.

“Yeah, I’m not going to condone the behaviour. I’m not here to do that,” McRae said on SEN.

“I had a good chat to Lachie and he’s really remorseful and he’s a great young kid and he’s really harsh on himself.

“He’s very remorseful, we’ll accept the ban and there’s two ways you can look at this – what can you do about the past, not much, and this is an opportunity to freshen up and be better for it.

“And in critical moments of the game, frustration is one thing, but to take it out on the opposition like that, it’s not something we want.

“The young lad is going to learn a lesson isn’t he.”

Collingwood will be without Schultz for their clash with West Coast this weekend. Jordan De Goey (groin), Tom Mitchell (appendicitis) and Brody Mihocek (hamstring) have also been ruled out.

Gaze and McRae debated the incident on SEN and you can listen to it in the player below.