Sessions was shown a straight red card in the 88^th minute of the goalless draw on Saturday night at Jack McLaughlan Oval in their NPL catch-up game.

The defender and Curran were sprinting side-by-side, jostling for position, on a Jaffas counterattack when Sessions hit him high and off the ball. Knocked to the ground, Curran was treated for a bloody nose and checked for concussion before finishing the match.

Bridges said on Sunday that what was done to Curran "was a disgrace" and he hoped Sessions got "the maximum penalty".

"I haven't seen that in a game in a long time, especially on a 17-year-old kid," Bridges said. "[Jaffas co-coach] Shane Pryce was the first one to come over after the game to Nic to wish him all the best and say he didn't condone it."

The maximum penalty for the violent conduct offence under the Northern NSW Football disciplinary system, which allocates set sanctions based on referees' reports, was an automatic one-game suspension plus four matches. That penalty is for "violent conduct causing, or with the potential to cause, serious injury".

Sessions was given the lowest penalty - automatic plus one game - meaning it was deemed "minimal contact with an opponent" or "violent conduct and/or attempted violent conduct towards an opponent".

See the incident here

The decision follows three hefty suspensions this season for different offences. Then-Valentine skipper Joel Wood was banned for seven games for match official abuse, while Charlestown's Regan Lundy and Broadmeadow's Keanu Moore served eight and six matches respectively for a post-game scuffle.

In similar cases, Jaffa Luke Remington copped two matches in 2020 for hitting Weston's Zac Sneddon high and from behind in retaliation to a tackle. In 2019, Edgeworth striker Oliver Smith was given three matches for headbutting Jacob Bailey after being sent off.

Meanwhile, Edgeworth back-up against Lake Macquarie at Jack McLaughlan Oval on Wednesday night (8pm) in another catch-up game. Fourth on 28 points, the Eagles are seven behind leaders Lambton with three rounds left after the match.

Bridges said his side needed to lift in attack.

"We got very lucky to come away with a point," he said of the Jaffas stalemate. "They hit the crossbar, the post and had loads of opportunities. On the possession side, we totally dominated but we didn't create any chances, so that's very disappointing."

After an encouraging first half of the season, Lake Macquarie have lost their past five games to sit eighth on 11 points.

The Jaffas, meanwhile, had injury concerns ahead of the home game against Broadmeadow on Sunday.

Reece Papas (knee), Scott Pettit (calf), Tom Waller and Kale Bradbery (groin) were all nursing problems after the draw with Edgeworth.

"It was a good game and I think we had the better chances, but if you don't put it in the net, you don't win," Pryce said.

"But that was probably one of the better performances from our guys in a long time, so I was pretty happy."