AFL Tribunal

Grand Final Replay Tribunal

Lisa Albergo — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 20:32:42 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Charges Laid:

Adam Schneider (STK), striking Collingwood's Brent Macaffer: assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points), equaling six activation points, a Level Three offense, 225 demerits and a two game suspension. A Grand Final increases the penalty a further 100% based on the points for the offense. Therefore, Schneider's penalty is increased to 450 demerits and a four game suspension. His five year good record reduces the penalty 25% to 393.75 demerits and a three game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty a further 25% to 295.31 demerits and a two game suspension with 95.31 demerits held over toward his future record. Schneider will miss the first two rounds of the 2011 season but will be allowed to play in the preseason matches.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

Grand Final Tribunal

Lisa Albergo — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:47:13 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Charges laid:

Cameron Ling (GEEL), striking Collingwood's Leigh Brown: assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point), equaling five activation points, a classification of a Level Two offense, 125 demerits and a one game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Tyson Goldsack (COL), rough conduct against Geelong's Matthew Stokes: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points), equaling four activation points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits and a one game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Dylan Addison (WB), striking St Kilda's Sam Gilbert: assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point), equaling five activation points, a classification of a Level Two offense, 125 demerits and a one game suspension. Had Addison accepted, the penalty would have been reduced 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.

The Bulldogs and Addison took the case to the Tribunal in an attempt to have the charge dismissed. Goal umpire Chelsea Roffey, who reported Addison during the game, testified that she saw "... a Bulldog player punch a St Kilda player in the guts". She described the punch as quite forceful and said that Gilbert appeared to be winded after the incident. Video footage from behind the goals cameras showed contact from Addison to Gilbert who then appeared hunched over for a time.

Addison testified that he was only attempting to push Gilbert away when he accidentally hit him in his midriff. He said it was not his intention to hurt Gilbert. However, the Tribunal panel upheld the original finding of the Match Review Panel. As a result, Addison will miss the opening round of 2011. He will be allowed to play in the preseason games.

Source: afl.com.au; Patrick Keane, Club Media Release

Burgoyne Free For Round One

Lisa Albergo — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 04:58:58 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Charges Laid:
Shaun Burgoyne (HAW), rough conduct against Fremantle's Alex Silvagni: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points), equaling four activation points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits and a one game suspension. He has a record of three games suspended within the past three years which increases the penalty 30% to 162.50 demerits. Had he accepted, the penalty would have been reduced 25% to 121.88 demerits and a one game suspension with 21.88 demerits held over toward his future record.

Hawthorn took Burgoyne's case to the Tribunal in an effort to have the charge dismissed. Burgoyne tackled Silvagni and, during the tackle, Silvagni's head hit the ground, causing him to suffer dizziness for several minutes afterward. He was able to finish the game and did not require medical treatment after the match.

Burgoyne's defense was that he was attempting to lay a proper tackle by grabbing Silvagni, pinning his arms and trying to "roll" to one side to bring him down legally. If a player tackles an opponent from behind and lands on his back or forces him forward during the process, it is ruled "in the back" and a free kick is awarded against the tackler. Burgoyne's advocate argued that he should not be penalized for Silvagni hitting his head as it was not deliberate or part of Burgoyne's actions in laying the tackle. He further argued that as Burgoyne attempted to turn himself and Silvagni sideways to execute a legal tackle, Silvagni slipped and the players' legs became tangled. It was this which caused the tackle to go wrong and resulted in Silvagni's head hitting the turf.

The panel agreed and dismissed the charge.

Barry Hall (WB), fined $2600 for a first offense of abusive language toward an umpire. He accepted, reducing the fine 25% to $1950.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release, afl.com.au, theage.com.au

Strike Three Benefits Tuck

Lisa Albergo — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:20:03 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Hawk midfielder Travis Tuck faced the Tribunal on the Tuesday following Round 22 as the first player charged with a third strike under the AFL's illicit drug policy. It was not through testing that his third offense was discovered, but rather from an incident during the Round 22 weekend. On the Friday night, he was found unconscious in his car outside a nightclub. He was rushed to a hospital where he was treated for overdosing on the party drug GHB*.

Police, who are not charging Tuck for possession, found drug paraphernalia and a vial of "liquid" in his car. While he was being treated in the hospital, it was learned that he has been being treated for clinical depression for the past 10 months. He had been making excellent progress until this relapse. It is believed the relapse came as the result of the club informing him several days previously that his future was in doubt and that he was not selected in the Box Hill team (Hawthorn's VFL affiliate) for their Final's game. At his hearing, Tuck admitted to the use of drugs and the two previous strikes against him. He also said that he had been under personal pressures at the time.

The hearing, which was closed to the media, heard testimony from medical experts, several of whom have been treating Tuck. It was said that he had been being treated for depression and had been making excellent progress. He had also been treated and counseled for his previous two drug strikes under the AFL guidelines. Under those guidelines, only the AFL medical officers are notified. After a second strike, the club doctor is notified. After a third offense, club officials are notified and the offender goes before the Tribunal which determines sanctions.

The Tribunal took into consideration all the medical testimony which was presented. One medical advisor told the Tribunal that it would beneficial for Tuck to remain on Hawthorn's playing list so he could be in a structured environment which would provide support for him during his treatment and give him motivation to improve. The panel then rendered their decision. They waived the $5000 fine but Tuck was suspended for 4 weeks from AFL football and a further 8 weeks from VFL football. They said that due to the compelling circumstances, the usual penalties under the AFL code would be too harsh. However, they also issued stipulations with which Tuck would have to comply. They are:

- Tuck must submit to testing three times a week for a period to be determined by the AFL medical officers.

- he must fully cooperate in providing a urine sample upon request for testing.

- continued cooperation with AFL medical staff, attendance at a prescribed drug rehabilitation program, and any psychiatric advice and treatment as may be directed by his doctors.

Should Tuck test positive again or breach any of the instructions listed above, he could again be referred to the Tribunal for further penalties.

Tribunal chairman John Hassett concluded that the AFL policy's main goal was to look after the welfare of the players and said it was that focus which led the Tribunal to its final decision. AFL Operations Manager Adrian Anderson thanked the Tribunal and AFLPA, Hawthorn, the AFL medical staff and Tuck's doctors for their assistance in ensuring that Tuck could continue his football career.

Hawthorn will keep Tuck on their list but not the senior list. He will still be allowed to train and play with Box Hill. If the club opts to delist him, he will still be a member of their training squad through Box Hill and he will be allowed to play in the 2011 preseason games. The club will have then have the option of selecting him in the 2011 rookie draft. If not selected, the club would still have the option of placing Tuck on the newly established inactive list and then have the further option of relisting him at the end of next year.

As a result of the hearing, a storm of controversy erupted with club officials and fans divided on whether or not clubs should be informed after a first strike. Hawk President Jeff Kennett, who is also President of the depression support group beyondblue, and Hawk CEO Stuart Fox both fired a broadside at the AFL's policy of keeping player names confidential until the third strike. Fox said after the hearing that if the club had known prior to the incident, they could have helped Tuck through their own support network and the whole incident could have been avoided. Kennett has been opposed to the policy for some time and both he and Fox have written to the AFL requesting an overhaul of the League's policy.

Officials from Adelaide, Essendon and the Bulldogs are on Kennett's side in believing that club officials should be notified if a player returns a positive test for a first time. Collingwood Coach Mick Malthouse also supports that idea. Many believe that while it does not need to made known to everyone at the affected club, it would be better to have club medical staff and at least one person in administration be informed of a first offense so they can deal with it.

On the flip side, Melbourne's Cameron Schwab, Richmond's Brendon Gale, North Melbourne's Eugene Arocca, medical experts, AFL Operations Manager Adrian Anderson, and AFLPA CEO Matt Finnis support the policy of confidentiality. Gale, who preceded Finnis with the AFLPA and was one of the architects of the policy, said that confidentiality was paramount and that medical experts were better equipped to deal with the issue than club officials. Schwab said that if a player were exposed early on, in an atmosphere in which there is often movement of people from one club to another, it could prove to be a distraction. Arocca expressed sympathy for Hawthorn but said it should be left to the medical experts. He also said that if another club person should be informed, it should be a welfare officer. Gale said he could empathize with the frustrations felt by the clubs now that he is Richmond's CEO, but reiterated that the current method of confidentiality, counseling and treatment is the best way.

AFL CEO Matt Finnis supports the current policy, saying that Tuck could have faced even more pressure had he been forced to reveal his condition, drug issues and treatment to club officials. He said that sharing medical information with club officials would be inappropriate. The AFL's Adrian Anderson concurred, stating that getting Tuck into counseling after his first offense avoided an even more serious situation. He further stated that Tuck's struggles could have been exacerbated had his condition been publicized. Hawthorn Coach Alistair Clarkson said the revelation of Tuck's condition explained why he was out of form and struggling in games. The current policy expires in February.

After the hearing, Tuck issued a statement of apology saying he accepted the Tribunal's decision and took full responsibility for his actions. In his statement, he said "I have been dealing with personal and medical issues for the past 12 months and following ... intensive treatment I really felt that I had come a long way. It (the overdose) was a big setback ... and I understand the anxiety it has caused my family, friends and ... Hawthorn ... and for that I am truly sorry. I know I have to keep working hard to deal with my issues and ... this will not be easy ... I have had excellent medical assistance and will continue this treatment ... I'd like to thank the Hawthorn Football Club for their support ... and the ... support of the AFLPA and the AFL ... This ... and the ongoing structure in my life, along with the motivation to train and return to play will be a big part of my progress and my recovery."

The Tuck family has a long and distinguished history in football. Travis' father, Michael, is the League's games record holder with 426 games for Hawthorn to his name. He is married to Faye Ablett, sister to Gary Ablett Snr, making him uncle to Gary Ablett Jnr at Geelong, former Sydney premiership player Luke Ablett, and former Cat Nathan (now with Gold Coast). Travis' brother Shane currently plays for Richmond.

Tuck was drafted in 2005, debuted in 2007 and has played 20 games. He was named as an emergency for the Hawks' 2008 Grand Final team.

*gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (a naturally occurring substance found in the central nervous system, wine, beef, small citrus fruits, and almost all animals in small amounts). It can be used medicinally to treat insomnia, clinical depression, narcolepsy, alcoholism, fibromyalgia, and to improve athletic performance. It can also be used as an anesthesia. Illegally, it is used as an intoxicant and a date r-ape drug due to properties which can wipe out memory of events and cause a person to become compliant and suggestible. Some users take it for its numbing effects and hallucinogenic properties. It can be lethal combined with alcohol.For more information, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma-Hydroxybutyric_acid.

Source: theage.com.au, heraldsun.com.au, afl.com.au, sen.com.au, AFL Record 2010 Season Guide

Tiger King Suspended

Lisa Albergo — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:37:36 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Charges Laid:
Jake King (RICH), striking Port Adelaide's Justin Westhoff: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point), equaling four activation points, a Level One offense, 80 demerits and a reprimand. King has a record of three games suspended within the past three years which increases the penalty 30% to 104 demerits. He also has 41.80 demerits held over from the past year for a total of 145.80 demerits and a one game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 109.35 demerits, still a one game suspension with 9.35 demerits held over toward his future record. Since Richmond will not be contesting the finals this year, King will miss the opening round in 2011 with this suspension. He will be allowed to play in the preseason games.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

Podsiadly Suspended

Lisa Albergo — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 06:30:25 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

TRIBUNAL
James Podsiadly, (GEEL), bumping or making forceful contact from front-on against Carton's Bryce Gibbs: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), medium impact (two points), and high contact (two points), equaling five activation points and a two game suspension. He has 60 demerits carried over from the past year which increases the penalty to 310 demerits and a three game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 232.50 demerits and a two game suspension with 32.50 demerits held over toward his future record.

Josh Hunt (GEEL), rough conduct against Carlton's Jarrad Waite: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), medium impact (two points), and high contact (two points), equaling a Level Two offense, 225 demerits, and a two game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 168.75 demerits and a one game suspension with 68.75 held over toward his future record.

Leigh Brown (COL), striking Adelaide's Graham Johncock: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point), and high contact (two points), equaling five activation points, a Level Two offense, drawing 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. He has 45 demerits held over from the past year, increasing the penalty to 170 demerits. Had Brown accepted, the penalty would have been reduced 25% to 127.50 demerits and a one game suspension with 27.50 demerits held over toward his future record.

Brown opted to take his case to the Tribunal in an effort to have the reckless classification downgraded to negligent. He admitted that he made high contact to Johncock but said the contact was a reflexive action. Brown said he threw his arm out in an effort to regain his balance, after losing it in an attempt to change direction to avoid contact with Johncock who had disposed of the ball. Collingwood also presented a medical report from Adelaide which showed that Johncock had not suffered any injury as a result of the high contact. However the Tribunal agreed with the AFL counsel that Brown's actions were more reckless than negligent and upheld the original penalty of the MRP.

Paul Bevan (SYD), rough conduct against Bulldog Ryan Griffen: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), and body contact (one point), equaling three activation points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension.

Bevan took his case to the Tribunal and was successful in having the charge dismissed. Bevan argued that he was unaware that Griffen's feet had left the ground at the time of the tackle. He contended that he laid a "genuine tackle". The Tribunal ruled that the tackle was not a spearing or slinging motion and did not use excessive force. They therefore dismissed the charge.

The match day report against West Coast’s Beau Waters for rough conduct on North Melbourne’s Leigh Adams was assessed by the Match Review Panel. The MRP ruled that Waters was only trying to shepherd teammate Ashley Smith who had possession of the ball and was therefore a target for a tackle. The panel further ruled that the bump was not forceful, that Adams should have expected contact under the circumstances, and that Waters did not raise his elbow or leave the ground in executing the bump. They ruled that it was not reportable and dismissed the report.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release; afl.com.au

Round 20 Tribunal

Lisa Albergo — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:26:59 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

TRIBUNAL
Paul Chapman (GEEL), striking Bulldog Liam Picken: assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point), and body contact (one point), equaling five activation points, a Level Two offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Liam Picken (WB), striking Geelong's Joel Selwood: assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point), and body contact (one point), equaling five activation points, a Level Two offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Koby Stevens (WCE), bumping or making forceful contact from front-on against Port Adelaide's Danny Myer: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), and high contact (two points), equaling four activation points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Lenny Hayes (STK), fined $1200 for a first offense of making negligent contact with an umpire. He accepted, reducing the fine 25% to $900.

A first offense for making negligent contact with an umpire is a $1200 sanction. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to a $900 sanction.

The Match Review Panel assessed the match day report against Fremantle's Zac Clarke for rough conduct against Sydney's Ben McGlynn. The MRP ruled that contact was made as a result of McGlynn lunging as both players came in to attempt to gain possession of the ball. As a result, Clarke's leg made contact with McGlynn's face, resulting in a fractured cheekbone to McGlynn. The MRP deemed that Clarke was attempting to gain possession of the ball and that his actions were not reportable. They therefore dismissed the charge.

The match day report against St Kilda’s Jason Gram for making forceful contact from front-on against North Melbourne’s Cruize Garlett was assessed. The MRP ruled that the force was below the requirements for a charge and dismissed the report.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

Round 19 Tribunal

Lisa Albergo — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 21:42:25 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

David Hille (ESS), rough conduct against Carlton's Mitch Robinson: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points), equaling four four activation points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Kieren Jack (SYD), rough conduct against Hawthorn's Matt s**kling: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), and high contact (two points), equaling four activation points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Brent Guerra (HAW), rough conduct against Sydney's Nick Malceski: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point), and high contact (two points), equaling five activation points, a Level Two offense, 225 demerits, and a two game suspension.

Guerra took his case to the Tribunal to challenge the reckless classification and succeeded. Guerra and his advocate argued that he heard the umpire call "advantage" (which allows a player of the infringed team to play on when they are in possession of the ball so as not to disadvantage them by stopping play for a free kick) after his tackle on Malceski, but that he did not hear the umpire's whistle to stop play for a 50 meter (55 yards) penalty. He and his advocate also convinced the panel to listen to audio of the match commentary which aided his case. The audio clearly established that the umpire had called advantage before blowing his whistle to award a free kick and 50 meter penalty. In his defense Guerra said that he did not push Malceski in the back but had taken Malceski down by rotating his body and bringing Malceski down on top of him. He further stated that Malceski had gone limp which caused his head to hit the turf. The AFL Counsel and Tribunal panel agreed that Guerra could not be penalized with reckless conduct if he did not hear the umpire's whistle and downgraded the action to negligent. As a result, Guerra's penalty is now 93.75 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Leigh Brown (COL), tripping Geelong's Matthew Stokes:assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point), and body contact (one point), equaling four activation points, a Level One offense, 80 demerits, and a reprimand. He has a five year clean record, reducing the penalty 25% to 60 demerits. He accepted, reducing the penalty a further 25% to 45 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Quinten Lynch (WCE), misconduct in that he kneed Brisbane's Brent Staker assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point), and body contact (one point), equaling four activation points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. He has a five year clean record, reducing the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand.

Lynch took his case to the Tribunal and succeeded in having it dismissed. He and his advocate argued that the contact with Staker was unavoidable and the Tribunal agreed. As a result, the demerits and reprimand are wiped from his record.

Brett Jones (WCE), fined $1200 for a first offense of negligent contact with an umpire. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to $900.

Jonathan Brown (BRIS), tripping West Coast's Scott Selwood: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point), and body contact (one point), equaling four activation points, a Level One offense, 80 demerits, and a reprimand. He has a five year clean record, reducing the penalty 25% to 60 demerits.

Brown took his case to the Tribunal in an effort to have the charge dismissed and keep his five year clean record intact. Several years ago, Brown had a poor Tribunal record with multiple suspensions, but rechanneled his onfield aggression in a positive manner. Brown said that he was only trying to change direction in an attempt to tackle Selwood. However, the Tribunal upheld the original findings of the MRP, leaving Brown with 60 demerits and a reprimand with held over toward his future record.

Joel Patfull (BRIS), rough conduct against West Coast's Brett Jones: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), high impact (three points), and high contact (two points), equaling six activation points, a Level Three offense, 325 demerits, and a three game suspension.

Patfull took his case to the Tribunal and succeeded in having the charge dismissed. Patfull testified that he only had eyes for the ball and realized at the last second that contact would be unavoidable. It was only then that he attempted to slow down, lower his body to avoid high contact and brace himself for contact. In that effort, he lost his balance and stated that the collision, which resulted in Jones suffering a broken jaw, was partly due to him trying to regain his balance. The Tribunal agreed and dismissed the charge.

Jordan Roughead (WB), rough conduct against Adelaide's Brad Symes: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), and high contact (two points), equaling four activation points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension.

Roughead took his case to the Tribunal, who determined that the contact he made with Symes was not high and dismissed the charge.

The Match Review Panel assessed the match day report against Essendon's Sam Lonergan for rough conduct against Carlton's Robert Warnock. The MRP ruled that the contact made was less than what is required for a reportable offense and dismissed it.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release; theage.com.au, herald.com.au, afl.com.au

Round 18 Tribunal

Lisa Albergo — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 19:58:25 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

TRIBUNAL
Charges Laid:

Cyril Rioli (HAW), striking Port Adelaide's Nick Salter: assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point), and high contact (two points), equaling six activation points, a Level Three offense, 225 demerits, and a 2 game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 168.75 demerits and a one game suspension, with 68.75 demerits held over toward his future record.

Cyril Rioli (HAW), attempting to strike Nick Salter: classified as an offense, drawing 80 demerits. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 60 demerits and a reprimand.

AFL Note: Under the Tribunal guidelines whereby a player is charged with multiple offenses during one game, the points for each offense where the player either accepts or is found guilty are added together to form a total amount. For each amount of 100 points in the total penalty, there must be one match served as a result.

Hawthorn took Rioli's case to the Tribunal in an effort to have one of the charges dismissed. They were contesting the charge of attempting to strike as the incident occurred during the brawl which saw nine players, including Rioli, fined. Rioli accepted the fine as well as the charge of striking. Rioli later admitted that frustration led to his brain fade and said he would take responsibility for his actions but did not testify. His advocate argued that the first charge of striking, to which Rioli pleaded guilty, should be sufficient as the second swing did not connect. He further argued that it was wrong to single out one arm which did not connect as it occurred during the melee which involved other players and that there "... was not enough in it ..." to constitute a charge. He pleaded with the Tribunal, "Why charge with missing when there is the available charge of striking?" He also argued that by being punished for the one blow, the second charge of attempting to strike amounted to a case of "double jeopardy".

After the hearing, Hawthorn football director Mark Evans said it was the same logic that the club had used. He said it was worth the challenge as during the melee "... there were lots of arms being thrown around ... and only ... one report for an attempt to strike."

The AFL legal counsel countered by saying that Rioli's attempt to strike followed immediately after his punch which did connect with Salter. He further argued that the "... blow was delivered with intent, but not ... precision ...".

The panel agreed with the prosecution and upheld the charge and suspension. Had Rioli been successful, he would have served just a one game suspension for the striking charge. He will now miss the next two games.

Brent Renouf (HAW), fined $2800 for a second melee offense. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to $2100.

The following players from both Port Adelaide and Hawthorn were charged with a first melee offense and fined $1600. All accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to $1200:

HAWTHORN Cyril Rioli, Jarryd Roughead, Brad Sewell, Chance Bateman

PORT ADELAIDE: Dean Brogan, Paul Stewart, Robbie Gray, Nick Salter

Brendan Fevola (BRIS), fined $4000 for misconduct for putting Melbourne's Colin Garland in a headlock. He accepted, reducing the fine 25% to $3000.

This charge was laid under the misconduct provisions of the MRP Table of Offenses, which allows the Match Review Panel to impose a fine for a misconduct offense which is not classified under the Table. The MRP took into account an investigation of the incident, the medical report on Garland and footage of the incident to determine that a fine rather than a charge of misconduct was appropriate.

Eric Mackenzie (WCE), striking Fremantle's Michael Johnson: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point), and high contact (two points), equaling five activation points, a Level Two offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand, with the demerits held over toward his future record.

After Mackenzie accepted, a clerical error was discovered regarding the spelling of his name and, as a result, the MRP overlooked a previous reprimand and 93.75 demerits for a rough conduct charge in Round 16. These demerits were added to the original penalty listed above, increasing the total to 218.75 demerits and a two game suspension. Mackenzie again accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 164.06 demerits and a one game suspension.

Fined $1200 for wrestling each other: Fremantle's Adam McPhee and West Coast's Patrick McGinnity; Eagle Scott Selwood and Fremantle's Stephen Hill. All four players accepted, reducing the fine 25% to $900.

Sean Dempster (STK), fined $1200 for a first offense of negligent contact with an umpire. He accepted, reducing the fine 25% to $900.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release; theage.com.au, sen.com.au

Tiger Cotchin Loses At Tribunal

Lisa Albergo — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:03:11 -0500

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Trent Cotchin (RICH), charging North Melbourne's Sam Wright: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), high impact (three points), and high contact (two points), equaling seven activation points, a Level Four offense, 425 demerits, and a four game suspension. Cotchin and the Richmond Football Club took the case to the Tribunal in an attempt to have the high contact classification dismissed and downgraded. Cotchin argued that his contact with Wright was to the shoulder. He did plead guilty to reckless and forceful contact. His advocate argued that Wright could have suffered the concussion, which was confirmed by a medical scan, when his head hit the ground and that video footage failed to prove head high contact.

However, video footage did show Wright's head whipping back and forward after Cotchin made contact. Richmond's club doctor submitted a written report that a head or neck injury could occur without direct contact to the head.This was concurred with by North Melbourne doctor Con Mitropoulos who submitted the most damning testimony against Cotchin.

Mitropoulos testified that Wright had a sore jaw and cheekbone as a result of the collision. He added that after the contact Wright was disoriented as he ".... could not remember which way North was kicking or where he was...''. According to a report on SEN Radio, Wright became agitated at the prospect of having to go to a hospital for treatment and this may have been a result of the concussion and the disorientation.

The Tribunal rejected the defense and upheld the original finding of the MRP. As a result, Cotchin will miss the next four weeks.

Michael Doughty (ADE), rough conduct against Geelong's Matthew Stokes: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), and high contact (two points), equaling four activation points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits and a one game suspension. He has a clean record over the past five years which reduces the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and accepted, further reducing the penalty to 70.31 demerits and a reprimand.

Jack Redden (BRIS), fined $1200 for a first offense of making contact with an umpire. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to $900.

Jordie McKenzie (MELB), fined $1200 for a first offense of making contact with an umpire. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to $900.

Ashley McGrath (BRIS), rough conduct against Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), and body contact (one point), equaling three activation points, a classification of a Level One offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. His record of one game suspended within the past three years increases the penalty 10% to 137.50 demerits. He also has 68.75 demerits held over from the past year, further increasing the penalty to 206.25 demerits and a two game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty to 154.69 demerits and a one game suspension with 54.69 demerits held over toward his future record.

Andrew Embley (WCE), fined $2400 for a second offense of negligent contact with an umpire. He accepted, reducing the fine to $1800.

Eric Mackenzie (WCE), rough conduct against Essendon's Jay Neagle: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), and body contact (one point), equaling three activation points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Daniel Motlop (PA), rough conduct against Western Bulldog Shaun Higgins: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), medium impact (two points), and body contact (one point), equaling five activation points, Level Two offense, 225 demerits, and a two game suspension. His record of one game suspended within the past year increases the penalty 10% to 247.50 demerits. He also has 64.06 demerits held over from the past year, further increasing the penalty to 311.56 demerits and a three game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 233.67 demerits and a two game suspension.

Andrew Walker (CARL), bumping or making forceful contact front-on against Sydney's Ben McGlynn: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), and high contact (two points), equaling four activation points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. His five year clean record reduces the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits. He accepted, further reducing the penalty another 25% to 70.31 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Michael Firrito (NM), striking Richmond's Robin Nahas: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point), and high contact (two points), equaling five activation points, a Level Two offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.

Source: theage.com.au, sen.com.au & Patrick Keane, AFL Median Release