Southern Mallee footy player slapped with three-game ban after dangerous weekend tackle

The player responsible for a dangerous tackle that saw a country football match called off early has been suspended for three games. Key points: A Southern Mallee player is given a three-match ban after a dangerous weekend tackle Mitchell Smith was left unconscious after the tackle with Billy McNeilly last Saturday Country football leagues say they take concussion injuries seriously A tribunal ruling on Wednesday night found Southern Mallee player Billy McNeilly guilty of the tackle that was graded as careless, high contact, and severe impact in the incident involving Mannum player Mitchell Smith. Push to be proactive Country football leagues said they were taking the concussion risk seriously, adhering to recently updated AFL and SANFL guidelines to put the safety and long-term health of their players first. North Eastern Football League president Peter Meyer said he believed a concussion passport, which recorded a player's concussion history from club to club, was a necessary move. Yorke Peninsula Football League president Brad Haylock said the adoption of new guidelines had led to a reduction in harsher tackles within his league's local clubs.