Overview

• The AFL Match Review Office judged Xerri’s follow-up arm on Sparrow as careless conduct with high contact and severe impact, resulting in a three-game ban.
• North Melbourne confirmed it will contest the grading at Tuesday night’s AFL Tribunal, arguing Xerri’s action was accidental rather than careless.
• Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin reported Sparrow is alert, talking and under ongoing concussion monitoring after being knocked unconscious at the MCG on July 13.
• Xerri’s suspension leaves the Kangaroos without their established ruck for the next three rounds, likely promoting Callum Coleman-Jones into the role.
• Xerri will appear at Tuesday night’s tribunal alongside Carlton’s Adam Cerra and Brisbane’s Zac Bailey, making for one of the league’s busiest hearing sessions.