Saint to sinner: Jimmy Webster reaches out to injured North Melbourne Kangaroo Jy Simpkin as Alastair Clarkson apologises

St Kilda defender Jimmy Webster has been sent directly to the AFL Tribunal for his high, late bump on North Melbourne co-captain Jy Simpkin that landed the midfielder in concussion protocols.

Webster, who faces a lengthy ban, said he could nor “understate” his remorse and had reached out to Simpkin to apologise.

The apology came after Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson also apologised for “inappropriate” comments he made during an expletive-laden spray to the defender and his teammate in the wake of the hit.

Kangaroos coach Clarkson was furious about the incident and reportedly used the word “c*******er” during an exchange of words with Webster and fellow Saints defender Dougal Howard at the quarter-time interval of Sunday’s practice game.

The incident left Clarkson “deeply disturbed”.

“Jy has had a great pre-season and has now had three concussions in 12 months, and I was so disappointed to see him leave the field in that way,” Clarkson said on Monday.

“At the quarter-time break I voiced my displeasure to St Kilda players Jimmy Webster and Dougal Howard as they made their way to the quarter-time huddle.

“This was an exchange that was emotional in defence of our captain, but unnecessary and the language I used was inappropriate.

“I have reached out to (Saints coach) Ross Lyon and both the St Kilda players to apologise.”

It is unclear whether the AFL will investigate the exchange between Clarkson, Webster and Howard and the alleged homophobic slur used.

Webster’s bump was classed by the match review officer as careless conduct, severe impact and high contact.

It means Webster will face the tribunal rather than being able to accept an early guilty plea.

Webster and Saints football boss David Misson on Monday both issued statements about the incident.

“I deeply regret my actions in (Sunday’s) game,” Webster said.

“I’ve reached out to Jy and cannot understate my remorse.

“My thoughts are with Jy and his family, and I hope he has a speedy and successful recovery.”

Misson labelled the incident “out of character” for Webster, “who has proven to be a fair and honest player”.

Saints coach Lyon conceded there is “no defence” for Webster’s actions.

“It’s just a very difficult situation. Really concerned for both lads, in particular Jy because it was very heavy physical contact,” Lyon told reporters on Monday.

“Clearly there’s no defence to it. We always support the person (to) change the behaviour.

“We’ve got to continue to evolve the game, but we’re devastated for both boys involved and there’s not much, obviously, I can do about it. If we could change things we would, but we can’t.”

The Webster-Simpkin incident sparked a melee, and North Melbourne’s Tristan Xerri and Bailey Scott and St Kilda recruit Liam Henry have been offered fines of $1250 for their involvement.

Saints ruckman Rowan Marshall can accept a fine of $1875 for his second offence of engaging in a melee/wrestle.

The incident happened four days after Port Adelaide forward Sam Powell-Pepper received a four-game suspension for a bump that concussed Adelaide defender Mark Keane.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said the latest incidents showed his players they should avoid bumping opponents at all costs.

“It’s pretty clear: don’t do it,” Goodwin told reporters on Monday.

“We’ll train our players around the contest. I’ve said this for a long time, there’s really no need to bump ... other than when it’s in a one-on-one ground-ball contest.

“It’s more about tackling and doing that correctly, and making sure we’re able to turn at the right time to tackle the right way.

“We’ll keep training our players that way and educating them.

“We’ve already seen ... that if you’re going to choose to head down that (bumping) path you’re going to get in trouble.”