Ben King avoids sanction for high tackle on Lachie Whitfield as Giants and Suns players receive fines

Gold Coast Suns forward Ben King has avoided any sanctions for a tackle that led to Lachie Whitfield leaving the field during the Giants’ narrow seven-point victory in Sydney.

During the ninth minute, a kick from Toby Bedford soared above Whitfield’s head, requiring him to chase the ball as King came in from the opposite direction.

Teammates assisted Whitfield to his feet, with Gerard Healy approving of the contact.

“That was absolutely perfect technique, simply superb,” he remarked during Fox’s broadcast.

Whitfield remained on the field until just two minutes were left in the quarter before heading to the sheds with the medical team.

At the first break, Alastair Lynch commented that King was “attempting to guard the ball with his body while making contact with Lachie Whitfield”.

Brad Johnson remarked, “It’s just one of those unfortunate situations where the ball rolled away from Lachie Whitfield… they’re tricky moments as he can’t adjust his body to brace himself.”

However, David King offered a different perspective.

“I believe he may face scrutiny,” he stated.

“If you view the angle from the boundary, he makes contact after passing the ball.”

Ultimately, he was proven incorrect, as the Suns forward was not mentioned in the match review officer’s report.

Unfortunately for King’s teammate, Matt Rowell, he faced a $3,125 fine for careless contact with an umpire, marking his fourth offence.

Toby Greene received a similar penalty and was fined $1,875.

Meanwhile, GWS’s Jake Riccardi was hit with a $2,000 fine for tripping.