The AFL wishes to advise the Match Review Panel has reviewed the matches played in round five of the 2015 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. The following charges were laid:
Charges Laid:
Alex Rance, Richmond, has been charged with misconduct for throwing the ball into the face of Joel Selwood, Geelong Cats, during the third quarter of the Round Five match between Richmond and the Geelong Cats, played at the MCG on Saturday May 2, 2015.
In summary, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea.
A first offence for misconduct is classified as a $1500 sanction. The player has no applicable bad record. An early plea can reduce the penalty to a $1000 sanction.
Steven May, Gold Coast Suns, has been charged with engaging in rough conduct against Tom Rockliff, Brisbane Lions, during the first quarter of the Round Five match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Brisbane Lions, played at Metricon Oval on Saturday May 2, 2015.
In summary, he can accept a two-match sanction with an early plea.
Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Brisbane Lions Football Club, it was the view of the panel the incident should be classified as careless conduct with high impact to the head. The offence was classified as a three-match sanction. The player has no applicable bad record. An early plea can reduce the penalty to a two-match sanction.
Nick Robertson, Brisbane Lions, has been charged with striking Tom Nicholls, Gold Coast Suns, during the third quarter of the Round Five match between the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coasts, played at Metricon Stadium on Saturday May 2, 2015.
In summary, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea.
Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Gold Coast Suns Football Club, it was the view of the panel the incident should be classified as intentional conduct with low impact to the body. The offence was classified as a $1500 sanction. The player has no applicable bad record. An early plea can reduce the penalty to a $1000 sanction.
Luke Hodge, Hawthorn, has been charged with striking Andrew Swallow, North Melbourne, during the first quarter of the Round Five match between Hawthorn and North Melbourne, played at Etihad Stadium on Saturday May 2, 2015.
In summary, the incident was referred directly to the Tribunal for its determination and he cannot accept an early plea on the matter. Media should note the MRP provided the assessment of high impact among its reasons below, based on point 4.2(b) of the Tribunal guidelines on page 9 ‘.. strong consideration will be given to the potential to cause serious injury’.
Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the North Melbourne Football Club, it was the view of the panel the incident should be classified as intentional conduct with high impact to the head. The offence was classified as required to be directly put before the tribunal. The player has no applicable bad record and cannot accept an early plea.
Jordan Lewis, Hawthorn, has been charged with striking Todd Goldstein, North Melbourne, during the first quarter of the Round Five match between Hawthorn and North Melbourne, played at Etihad Stadium on Saturday May 2, 2015.
In summary, he can accept a two-match sanction with an early plea, after the incident was classified as a three-match sanction. Media should note the MRP provided the assessment of high impact among its reasons below, based on point 4.2(b) of the Tribunal guidelines on page 9 ‘.. strong consideration will be given to the potential to cause serious injury’.
Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the North Melbourne Football Club, it was the view of the panel the incident should be classified as careless conduct with high impact to the head. The offence was classified as a three-match sanction. The player has no applicable record. An early plea can reduce the penalty to a two-match sanction.
Other Matters Assessed:
Contact between the Sydney Swans’ Luke Parker and the Western Bulldogs’ Clay Smith from the first quarter of Saturday’s match was assessed. The ball was loose in the middle of the ground with Parker and Smith coming to the contest from opposite directions. Smith bends down to pick up the ball while Parker also lowers his body in a bid to win possession. Parker makes high contact to Smith. It was the view of the panel that Parker was contesting the ball and had no realistic alternative way to contest the ball. No further action was taken.
Contact between Hawthorn’s Taylor Duryea and North Melbourne’s Andrew Swallow from the first quarter of Saturday’s match was assessed. The umpire was preparing to throw the ball up when Duryea made contact to Swallow’s midriff area. A free kick was paid at the time to the North Melbourne player for the infringement. It was the view of the panel the force used was below that required to constitute a reportable offence. No further action was taken.
Contact between Melbourne’s Lynden Dunn and Fremantle’s Michael Walters from the first quarter of Sunday’s match was assessed. The ball was loose with Dunn and Walters coming toward sthe contest from opposite directions. Walters bent down to pick up the ball and turned into the oncoming Dunn, who had his hands out in front of him in preparation to tackle the Fremantle player. Contact was made by Dunn’s knee to Walters’ head. It was the view of the panel that the contact by Dunn was caused by circumstances outside his control, when his opponent turned into him. No further action was taken.
Contact between Melbourne’s Colin Garland and Fremantle’s Matthew Pavlich from the second quarter of Sunday’s match was assessed. Pavlich is leading for a mark with Garland coming from the opposite direction. As the Fremantle player completes the mark, he and his opponent Garland clash heads. It was the view of the panel the contact was accidental and no further action was taken.
