Round 7 Tribunal Results

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Charges Laid:

Adam Selwood (WCE), wrestling Carlton's Chris Judd: fined $1200 for a first offense. He accepted, reducing the fine 25% to $900.

Chris Judd, wrestling Adam Selwood: fined $1200 for a first offense. He accepted, reducing the fine 25% to $900. 

Matthew Stokes (GEEL), striking Brisbane's Michael Rischitelli: assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point) equaling five points, a Level Two offense, 125 demerits and a one game suspension. He has a previous record of four matches suspended within the past three years, increasing the penalty 40% and 50 demerits for a total of 175 demerits. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 131.25 demerits, still a one game suspension.

Nathan Lovett-Murray (ESS), striking Port Adelaide's Daniel Motlop: assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point), equaling five points, a Level Two offense, 125 demerits and a one game suspension. He has a previous record of three games suspended within the past three years, increasing the penalty 30% and 37.50 demerits for a total of 162.59 demerits.

Lovett-Murray took his case to the Tribunal in an effort to have the assessment of intentional downgraded to reckless. In his defense, he said it was his intention to block Motlop with his shoulder in an effort to give his teammate Andrew Welsh some room to move. He said when he saw Motlop running past him, he swung his arm to block Motlop. He admitted to striking Motlop but said he felt his action was reckless rather than intentional. The panel disagreed, upholding the original charge. Had he succeeded, the demerits would have been reduced and he would have escaped with only a reprimand.

Adam McPhee (ESS), making forceful contact from front-on against Port Adelaide's Travis Boak: 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. He has a previous record of one game suspended within the past three years, increasing the penalty 10% and 12.50 demerits for a total of 137.50 demerits and a one game suspension.

McPhee took his case to the Tribunal in an effort to have the charge dismissed. McPhee said he went in to bump Boak in an effort to dispossess him of the ball. Boak dropped the ball before the bump and bent over to regain possession when McPhee made contact. McPhee said it happened very quickly and he had already committed himself to attempt a legal bump. The panel upheld the charge.

The match report against Chad Fletcher (WCE) for striking Carlton's Nick Stevens was dismissed by the Match Review Panel (MRP). The panel ruled that the impact was below the requirements which constitute a strike.

The match day report against Justin Koschitzke (STK) for striking Richmond's Troy Simmonds was dismissed. The panel ruled that the impact was below the requirements which constitute a strike.

The match day report against Stephen Tiller (WB) for forceful front-on contact against Sydney's Tadhg Kennelly was dismissed. The MRP determined that as Tiller approached the contest, he tried to minimize contact with Kennelly who was bending over to pick up the ball.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release & Melbourne Age