Swan Player Escapes Penalty

by Lisa, reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Sydney's Amon Buchanan is free to play in the Grand Final. The Match Review Panel viewed the incident between Buchanan and Docker Troy Cook and deemed that Buchanan had made a legitimate spoiling attempt. Although contact was also made to Cook's back, the Panel ruled that the nature of the contact was not a reportable offense. On the day, a free kick and a 50 metre (55 yd) penalty was awarded to Cook.

Fremantle's Jeff Farmer and Justin Longmuir were both cited for striking offenses by the Match Review Panel - Farmer for striking Sydney's Craig Bolton and Longmuir for striking Sydney's Barry Hall.

Farmer's action was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), in play (no points) and high contact (two points), equaling four activation points, a Level 1 offense, and 75 demerits. He has a total of two matches suspended within the last three years, which increases his penalty 10% 82.50 demerits. He also has 45.31 residual demerits from within the last 12 months, increasing his penalty to 127.81 demerits and a one game suspension. He entered an early plea, reducing the penalty 25% to a reprimand with the 95.85 demerits held over towards his future record.

In Longmuir's case, the incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), in play (no points) and high contact (two points), equaling four activation points, a Level 1 offense, and 75 demerits. He has an existing five year clean record, which reduces the penalty 25% to 56.25 demerits. He accepted, reducing the penalty a further 25% to 42.18 demerits towards his future record. 

Source: Patrrick Keane, AFL Media Release