THE Devils suffered a massive blow last night when their in-form key
defender Nathan Grima was suspended for four matches by the VFL Tribunal.
And there was more bad news, with coach Mathew Armstrong confirming
full-forward Trent Bartlett would be out for up to six weeks with a
fractured ankle.
Grima, 20, was found guilty of striking Sandringham's Andrew
Biddlecombe in the third quarter of Sunday's loss to Sandringham at
Bellerive.
His raised forearm collected Biddlecombe to the head, which resulted
in the Zebras player suffering a broken jaw and concussion.
``I am very disappointed,'' Armstrong said last night.
``He has been having a good year, and it [the incident] is not what
we as a team and a club are about.''
Asked if Grima had let his team and club down by his actions,
Armstrong said: ``I think so. But he is a terrific young man and we need him
playing.''
The 193cm, 92kg Grima has been in great form all season, but after
this week's bye will miss games against Essendon-aligned Bendigo (Windy
Hill), ladder leader Northern Bullants (Bellerive), fierce rival Port
Melbourne (TEAC Oval) and last season's grand finalist Werribee (Bellerive).
Grima's loss will hurt the Devils hard, because Armstrong bases his
whole coaching structure around a consistent, settled six defenders, with
Grima a match for any opposition tall forward.
But there may be even more ramifications from the Devils' loss to
Sandringham.
Football Victoria's investigations officer Paul Aarons is inquiring
into the cause of scratches and a badly cut eye to Sandringham full-forward
Nick Sauntner, as well as other Zebra complaints.
Sandringham coach Mark Williams accused the Devils of using ``blood
tactics'', a claim the Devils have repeatedly denied.
Aarons will bring down his findings today.
By: BRETT STUBBS
Last Modified on 11/05/2006 14:53