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AAP
AAP
Shayne Hope

AFL unable to prevent Wright-style collisions: Simpson

West Coast coach Adam Simpson says there will always be high-speed collisions in the AFL. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

High-speed collisions like the one that has landed Essendon's Peter Wright in hot water at the AFL Tribunal will continue to occur, West Coast coach Adam Simpson says.

Wright faces the prospect of a lengthy ban after bracing for contact and crashing into Sydney defender Harry Cunningham at a marking contest last Saturday night, leaving him concussed.

The Bombers key forward was charged with rough conduct, with his bump graded as careless conduct, severe impact and high contact.

Debate has raged around Wright's possible penalty since the incident occurred, with the AFL set to push for at least a four-match ban at the tribunal on Tuesday.

Essendon's Peter Wright
Essendon's Peter Wright faces the prospect of a lengthy ban when he fronts the AFL Tribunal. (Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS)

Essendon are yet to declare whether they will fight the charge and attempt to have it downgraded, or throw Wright at the mercy of the tribunal.

West Coast's Simpson - now in his 11th season at the helm of the Eagles after 306 games as a player with North Melbourne - said it is "really difficult" to coach players around such high-speed collisions.

"Some players have (awareness), some don't. A lot of these incidents are guys protecting themselves at the last minute, and it's hard to stop that," Simpson said on Fox Footy on Monday night.

"I sort of get why and how, but these things are always going to be there when it's just that split-second decision where you need to take your eye off the ball when you feel contact coming and it looks like it's a deliberate act.

"I'm not quite sure what the answer to this is, but it's going to happen."

Port Adelaide forward Sam Powell-Pepper is still serving his four-match ban for the bump that concussed Adelaide's Mark Keane during the pre-season, in what was the first test case after the AFL's latest crackdown on incidents involving head contact.

Power coach Ken Hinkley said it is imperative players maintain their focus on the ball to stay out of trouble.

Port coach Ken Hinkley
Port coach Ken Hinkley says players must maintain their focus on the ball to stay out of trouble. (Julian Smith/AAP PHOTOS)

"We've had a player go through it at the start of this year in slightly different circumstances, but you've just got to go at the ball at all costs," Hinkley said on Fox Footy on Monday night.

"You've got to compete in the air for the ball, and if you're not competing for the ball and you get it wrong, you're going to pay a really big price - and I get why.

"I 100 per cent get why. The injuries that are coming about because of concussion, we've got to be doing everything we can to stop."

St Kilda forward Max King will also face the tribunal on Tuesday, charged with rough conduct over his high and late bump on Collingwood's Finlay Macrae.

The bump was deemed careless conduct, high contact and medium impact, drawing a one-match ban.

The Saints will likely argue the incident should be downgraded to low impact, in a bid to have King cleared to play against Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Saturday. 

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