Round 10 Tribunal Results

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

TRIBUNAL
Charges Laid:

Brett Burton ADE), bumping or making forceful contact from front-on against Essendon's Henry Slattery: assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points), equaling five points, a Level Two offense, 250 demerits and a two game suspension. His record of 2 games suspended within the past three years increases the penalty 25% to 300 demerits and a e games suspension. He accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 225 demerits and a two game suspension.

Robert Murphy WB), engaging in rough conduct against Hawthorn's Xavier Ellis: 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 accepted, reducing the penalty 25% to 168.75 demerits and a one game suspension.

Beau Waters (WCE), engaging in rough conduct offence against Collingwood's Shane O'Bree: 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. His record of two games suspended within the past three years increases the penalty 20% to 270 demerits.

Waters took his case to the Tribunal in an effort to have the charge dismissed. In his defense, he stated that his sole intention was the ball. He said at first he was closer to the ball than O'Bree, but the ball took an odd bounce and went towards O'Bree. It was then, Waters said, that he braced for contact with O'Bree and believed that contact was inevitable. The panel ruled that Waters' sole intent was not the ball and upheld the charges as specified by the Match Review Panel, leaving Waters with a 2
game suspension and 70 demerits held over toward his future record.

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