The AFL wishes to advise the Match Review Panel has reviewed the matches played in week two of the NAB Challenge. The following charges were laid:

Charges Laid:

Tom Lynch, Gold Coast Suns, has been charged with Engaging in Rough Conduct against Matthew Buntine, GWS Giants, during the third quarter of the NAB Challenge match between the Gold Coast Suns and the GWS Giants, played at Blacktown on Saturday March 7, 2015.

In summary, he can accept a one-match sanction with an early plea. All media should note that any suspension, if accepted, would apply to the Toyota AFL Premiership Season, and not the remaining match for the club in the NAB Challenge.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the GWS Giants Football Club, it was the view of the panel the incident should be classified as careless conduct with medium impact to the head. The offence was classified as a two-week sanction under the table of penalties. The player has no applicable bad record. An early plea can reduce the penalty to a one-match sanction.

Billy Longer, St Kilda, has been charged with striking Paul Chapman, Essendon, during the third quarter of the NAB Challenge match between St Kilda and Essendon, played at Morwell on Saturday March 7, 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 Essendon Football Club, it was the view of the panel the incident should be classified as careless conduct with low impact to the head. The offence was classified as a $1500 sanction under the table of penalties. The player has no applicable bad record. An early plea can reduce the penalty to a $1000 sanction.

Other Incidents Assessed:

Contact between North Melbourne’s Jarrad Waite and Hawthorn’s Ben Stratton from the second quarter of Saturday’s NAB Challenge match at Shepparton was assessed. Based on a medical report from the Hawthorn Football Club and the available video evidence, the panel said that the ball was kicked into the North Melbourne forward line and Stratton was cutting across the path of the leading Waite to intercept the ball and take a defensive mark. As the Hawthorn player prepared to contest the ball, Waite and Hawthorn’s Brian Lake were also approaching to contest the ball. Waite was legitimately entitled to contest the ball and sought to spoil the Hawthorn player. In his spoiling action, Waite made high contact to Stratton with the bicep area of his upper arm. It was the view of the panel the force used was below that required to constitute a reportable offence. No further action was taken.