Round 22 Tribunal Results

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

TRIBUNAL
Charges Laid:

Jamie Charman (Brisbane), striking Sydney's Brett Kirk: 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 record of one game suspended within the past three years, increasing the penalty 10% to 137.50 demerits.

Charman took his case to the Tribunal with former Brisbane player and current operations manager Marcus Ashcroft speaking on his behalf. After AFL advocate Jeff Gleeson argued that Charman's blow had the potential to cause serious injury as it was to the kidney region, Ashcroft argued that the hit was not of sufficient force to constitute a strike. Ashcroft further argued that the contact made between the two players was nothing more than "typical niggles" between two clubs who had built up a healthy rivalry over the past several years. He backed up his testimony with video footage which showed Kirk turning to see who had made contact with him. The footage also showed Kirk grinning as he got up from the ground, a clear indication that he was uninjured. Ashcroft also testified that Kirk tried to trip Charman as the two headed back into play. The panel accepted the defense and dismissed the charge.

Jude Bolton (SYD), rough conduct against Brisbane's Albert Proud: was 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 clean record over the past five years reduces the penalty 25% to 93.75 demerits. He accepted, reducing the penalty a further 25% to 70.31 demerits and a reprimand.

Nick Stevens (CARL), striking Hawthorn's Rick Ladson: assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points), equaling six points, a classification of a Level Three offense, 225 demerits and a two game suspension. He has no previous record, reducing the penalty 10% to 168.75 demerits and one game suspension. With Carlton out of the finals, Stevens will serve his suspension at the start of next season.

Nick Stevens, wrestling Hawthorn's Rick Ladson: a first offense incurs a fine of $1200. He accepted, reducing the fine 25% to $900.

Rick Ladson (HAW), wrestling Carlton's Nick Stevens: a first offense incurs a fine of $1200. He accepted, reducing the fine 25% to $900.

Mitch Morton (RICH), wrestling Melbourne's Brad Miller: a first offense incurs a fine of $1200. He accepted, reducing the fine 25% to $900.

Brad Miller (MELB), wrestling Richmond's Mitch Morton: a first offense incurs a fine of $1200. He accepted, reducing the fine 25% to $900.

The Match Review Panel dismissed the report against Geelong's Matthew Stokes for striking Eagle Chad Fletcher. The MRP ruled that Stokes had eyes only for the ball as he attempted to spoil (Fletcher's attempt to catch the ball) and therefore not reportable.

The MRP dismissed the report against the Western Bulldogs' Brian Lake for striking Adelaide's Scott Stevens. The MRP ruled that Lake's arm made contact with Stevens' shoulder and then slipped upward
to make high contact. The MRP further ruled that, as a result, the high contact was accidental and not reportable.

Source: Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release & Sydney Morning Herald