by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA fron Chicago
Charges Laid:
Heath Black (FRE), engaging in rough conduct against St. Kilda's Andrew McQualter: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), and body contact (one point), equaling three points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. He has no existing good or bad record and accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.
Chris Judd (WCE), misconduct in that he eye-gouged Hawk Campbell Brown: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), and high contact (two points), equaling four points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. His existing record of a previous one game suspension within the past three years increases the penalty 10% to 137.50 demerits, still a one game suspension. Had he accepted, the penalty would have been reduced the penalty 25% to 103.13 demerits and a one game suspension.
Judd decided to contest the charge. He testified via telephone link from Perth that he was only trying to get back to his feet after being tackled and had put his hand out to push Brown away. He said he knew he had made contact with Brown's face, but that it was only a push.
Video footage was used so that comments heard through umpire Brent Rosebury's microphone could be heard. Rosebury also gave evidence, saying he referred the incident to the Tribunal due to Hawk players accusing Judd. He also stated that he had an uninterrupted view of the incident and did not believe either a free kick or a report was warranted. He was heard on the tape to tell the protesting Hawthorn players that no eye-gouging took place and that "...it was just a hand."
Brown, who also gave evidence, told the tribunal that he had slid into Judd after Brad Sewell had tackled him to the ground to lock Judd up and cause a stoppage. Brown stated he felt Judd's hand on his face with the fingers above the eye. He denied he put his hand to his face as a reaction to being eye-gouged but was checking to see if he had any blood on his cheek as a result of the contact. He said there had been no contact to his eye. The Tribunal jury dismissed the charge.
Martin Mattner (ADE), tripping Carlton's Luke Blackwell: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), medium impact (two points), and body contact (one point), equaling four points, 80 demerits, and a reprimand. He has an existing five-year good 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.
Brent Harvey (KANG), striking Melbourne's Simon Godfrey: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point), and body contact (one point), equaling four points, a Level One offense, 80 demerits, and a reprimand. He has no applicable good or bad record. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 60 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.
Corey Jones (KANG), making negligent contact with umpire Troy Pannell: a first offense incurs a $3200 fine. Had he accepted, the fine would have been reduced 25% to $2400. He unsuccessfully challenged the report and the fine stood at $3200.
Mark Blake (GEEL), making negligent contact with umpire Matthew James: a first offense incurs a $3200 fine. Jones accepted, reducing the fine 25% to $2400.
Matt Thomas (PA), engaging in rough conduct against Geelong's Andrew Mackie: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), medium impact (two points), and high contact (two points), equaling five points, a Level Two offense, 225 demerits, and a two game suspension. He has no existing good or bad record and accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 168.75 demerits, and a one game suspension.
The match day report against Docker Michael Johnson for striking Saint Justin Koschitzke was assessed. The MRP determined that Johnson, running back with the flight of the ball to contest it, had eyes for the ball only when he made contact with Koschitzke. The panel further ruled that Johnson did not swing his arm into Koschitzke, but was genuinely attempting to spoil (prevent Koschitzke from catching it). Under the circumstances, the panel ruled that there was no strike and threw out the charge.
The match day report against Carlton's Matthew Lappin for attempting to trip Adelaide's Jason Torney was assessed. It was the view of the panel that Lappin's action was not considered a genuine and realistic attempt to trip. The charge was therefore dismissed.
Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release & Melbourne Age
Charges Laid:
Heath Black (FRE), engaging in rough conduct against St. Kilda's Andrew McQualter: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), and body contact (one point), equaling three points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. He has no existing good or bad record and accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.
Chris Judd (WCE), misconduct in that he eye-gouged Hawk Campbell Brown: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point), and high contact (two points), equaling four points, a Level One offense, 125 demerits, and a one game suspension. His existing record of a previous one game suspension within the past three years increases the penalty 10% to 137.50 demerits, still a one game suspension. Had he accepted, the penalty would have been reduced the penalty 25% to 103.13 demerits and a one game suspension.
Judd decided to contest the charge. He testified via telephone link from Perth that he was only trying to get back to his feet after being tackled and had put his hand out to push Brown away. He said he knew he had made contact with Brown's face, but that it was only a push.
Video footage was used so that comments heard through umpire Brent Rosebury's microphone could be heard. Rosebury also gave evidence, saying he referred the incident to the Tribunal due to Hawk players accusing Judd. He also stated that he had an uninterrupted view of the incident and did not believe either a free kick or a report was warranted. He was heard on the tape to tell the protesting Hawthorn players that no eye-gouging took place and that "...it was just a hand."
Brown, who also gave evidence, told the tribunal that he had slid into Judd after Brad Sewell had tackled him to the ground to lock Judd up and cause a stoppage. Brown stated he felt Judd's hand on his face with the fingers above the eye. He denied he put his hand to his face as a reaction to being eye-gouged but was checking to see if he had any blood on his cheek as a result of the contact. He said there had been no contact to his eye. The Tribunal jury dismissed the charge.
Martin Mattner (ADE), tripping Carlton's Luke Blackwell: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), medium impact (two points), and body contact (one point), equaling four points, 80 demerits, and a reprimand. He has an existing five-year good 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.
Brent Harvey (KANG), striking Melbourne's Simon Godfrey: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point), and body contact (one point), equaling four points, a Level One offense, 80 demerits, and a reprimand. He has no applicable good or bad record. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 60 demerits and a reprimand with the demerits held over toward his future record.
Corey Jones (KANG), making negligent contact with umpire Troy Pannell: a first offense incurs a $3200 fine. Had he accepted, the fine would have been reduced 25% to $2400. He unsuccessfully challenged the report and the fine stood at $3200.
Mark Blake (GEEL), making negligent contact with umpire Matthew James: a first offense incurs a $3200 fine. Jones accepted, reducing the fine 25% to $2400.
Matt Thomas (PA), engaging in rough conduct against Geelong's Andrew Mackie: assessed as negligent conduct (one point), medium impact (two points), and high contact (two points), equaling five points, a Level Two offense, 225 demerits, and a two game suspension. He has no existing good or bad record and accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 168.75 demerits, and a one game suspension.
The match day report against Docker Michael Johnson for striking Saint Justin Koschitzke was assessed. The MRP determined that Johnson, running back with the flight of the ball to contest it, had eyes for the ball only when he made contact with Koschitzke. The panel further ruled that Johnson did not swing his arm into Koschitzke, but was genuinely attempting to spoil (prevent Koschitzke from catching it). Under the circumstances, the panel ruled that there was no strike and threw out the charge.
The match day report against Carlton's Matthew Lappin for attempting to trip Adelaide's Jason Torney was assessed. It was the view of the panel that Lappin's action was not considered a genuine and realistic attempt to trip. The charge was therefore dismissed.
Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release & Melbourne Age
Article last changed on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 - 4:01 PM EDT
