“Softest suspension we've seen all year”: Cornes reacts as Butters cops MRO ban for strike

Port Adelaide midfielder Zak Butters has copped a one-match ban for striking GWS star Tom Green.

The strike occurred after the duo engaged in some push and shove early in the first quarter. Butters struck Green high around the shoulder/collarbone and his hand appeared to slide higher after impact and make contact with Green’s face.

As a result, the MRO graded the incident as striking which was intentional, high contact and low impact.

While the MRO graded the blow as a bannable offence, former Port Adelaide star Kane Cornes expects the Power to challenge the decision, labelling the suspension as the softest we’ve seen this year.

“Zak Butters has copped a week for striking Tom Green,” Cornes said on SEN Sportsday.

“In the first quarter, it was off the ball, they did pay a free kick for it.

“But that would be the softest suspension we've seen all year.

“I suspect Port Adelaide will think about this for two minutes and challenge it and get this downgraded because there was hardly anything in it.”

He’ll miss Port Adelaide’s clash against Brisbane at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon if he accepts the ban.

He’ll also be deemed ineligible for the Brownlow Medal if the ban stands.

North Melbourne’s Kallan Dawson was also banned for striking Collingwood’s Jack Crisp in Sunday’s loss at Marvel Stadium.

He’ll miss the Kangaroos’ game against Melbourne if they accept the ban.