Semi-Final Tribunal Results

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

TRIBUNAL
Charges Laid:

Jordan Lewis (HAW), striking Kangaroo against Kangaroo Brent Harvey: assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points), equaling six points, a Level Three offense, 225 demerits and a two game suspension. He has no existing good or bad record, but does have 60 demerits held over, increasing the penalty to 285 demerits. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 213.75 demerits, still a two game suspension. He will be required to serve the suspension at the start of the 2008 season. He will be allowed to play in the preseason games.

Shane Crawford (HAW), striking Kangaroo Daniel Harris: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), high impact (three points) and high contact (two points), equaling seven points, a Level Four offense, 325 demerits and a three game suspension. He has an existing poor record of one match suspended within the last three years, increasing the penalty by 10% to 357.50 points. He also has 96.87 demerits held over, further increasing the penalty to 454.37 demerits and a four game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 340.78 demerits and a three game suspension. He will be allowed to play preseason games next season but will then be required to serve his suspension during the first three rounds.

Luke Hodge (HAW), striking Kangaroo Brady Rawlings: 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 existing good or bad record, but does have 66 demerits held over, increasing the penalty to 146 demerits and a one game suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 109.50 demerits, still a one game suspension. He will be allowed to play preseason games next season but will be required to serve his suspension during the first round.

Luke Hodge took his case to the Tribunal in an effort to have it overturned. His defense was that he did not strike Kangaroo Brady Rawlings with a fist, but rather pushed him with an open hand. However, the panel ruled Hodge guilty and also upgraded the classification from body contact to high contact, handing Hodge 81 demerits which will be carried over toward his future record.

Source: Herald Sun & Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release