Essendon will decide tomorrow morning whether to contest a rough conduct charge laid against star ruckman Paddy Ryder. Ryder has been charged with making unreasonable contact with Adelaide’s Patrick Dangerfield during the third quarter of yesterday’s match and will miss one match with an early guilty plea.

The incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), medium impact (two points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Two offence, drawing 225 demerit points and a two-match sanction. He has no existing good or bad record. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 168.75 points and a one-match sanction.

In summary, he can accept a one-match sanction with an early plea.

The loss of Ryder would be a devastating blow for the Bombers who have already lost ruckman David Hille (knee) and Jason Laycock (foot) for the season. Tom Bellchambers will also miss at least another month with a knee injury.

 
Essendon’s match committee would be forced to do some serious thinking about its structure for the game against Melbourne following the bye. Cale Hooker has done some ruck work and Scott Lucas spent time there against the Crows but neither are ideally suited.

Did you see the Ryder / Dangerfield bump? What was your view? Have your say in our comments section.