The AFL community is divided again this week over the controversial head high bump Essendon’s Matthew Lloyd gave to Hawk Brad Sewell on the weekend.

The Dons skipper came charging off his line at the beginning of the third quarter and made a vicious front-on bump that left Sewell unconscious with a fractured cheekbone and eye socket in the Dons 17 point win.

It comes just one week after last year’s Coleman medalist, Lance Franklin, was given a two-match ban for a similar incident when he knocked out Tiger Ben Cousins.

The Hawks appealed the initial penalty but failed to have Franklin cleared and were close to taking the case to the Supreme Court.

However the boot was on the other foot on the weekend, with Hawthorn players and supporters crying foul at Lloyds act, demanding he be given a heavy ban for what many view as a ‘dog’ and ‘sniper act’.

None were more vocal than Hawk rough nut Campbell Brown who made a scathing attack only hours after the match.

“He’s done that a fair few times to us and he’s one of the biggest snipers in the game. His time’s coming,” Brown said.

“We’re not going to forget what Matty Lloyd did - and I hope he plays on next year.”

The Lloyd incident has opened a public debate over the bump ruling, which states that a player who makes a head high contact with a bump when there was an option to tackle will come under scrutiny.

Many are calling for the AFL to review the recent amendment to the bump rule, which was introduced to protect players who put their head over the ball.

Football traditionalists, and in particular lovers of the 80s and 90s football, have argued the new ruling has changed the way the game is now played and is a stark contrast to football of a few decades ago where head high bumps were regular occurrences.

The AFL match review panel today handed Matthew Lloyd a six-week suspension for the bump which he can reduce to four with an early guilty plea.

Essendon are yet to announce weather they will accept the ban or appeal in a bid to have their skipper right for their final against Adelaide on Friday.

If Lloyd accepts the penalty, there is a growing belief he could call an end to his illustrious career.

WHAT’S YOUR OPINION?

Should Matthew Lloyd be suspended for his head high bump on Brad Sewell?

What is an appropriate penalty?