Rioli among four to escape match-day reports as three more cop reprimands
Rioli off the hook as Carlton and Freo players accept penalties
HAWTHORN'S Cyril Rioli, Collingwood's Marley Williams, St Kilda's Mav Weller and Geelong's Dawson Simpson are all free to play next weekend after the Match Review Panel dismissed the match-day reports laid against them during round 13.
Fremantle's Zac Dawson and Carlton's Dale Thomas and Dennis Armfield will also line up in round 14 despite being cited by the panel, as all three have accepted reprimands.
Rioli was reported for engaging in rough conduct against Carlton's Zac Tuohy during the Hawks' win over the Blues on Friday night.
The MRP acknowledged that "some high contact was made" as Rioli moved into support teammate Paul Puopolo, who laid the initial tackle on Tuohy.
However, it found that "the high contact with Rioli's arm was below the force required to constitute a reportable offence".
Williams was reported for striking Bulldogs youngster Nathan Hrovat during the Magpies' shock loss on Sunday.
But as with the Rioli incident, the panel found that not enough force was used to warrant a report.
Weller was found to have made high contact with Geelong's Mark Blicavs during the Saints' huge loss to the Cats at Simonds Stadium on Sunday.
Yet the panel decided that "Weller was contesting the ball and had no realistic alternative way to contest the ball".
The free kick paid to Blicavs at the time was deemed to have been an adequate penalty.
Simpson was also found to have made high contact with Saints youngster Jimmy Webster.
But the MRP decided that "the high contact made was below the force required to constitute a reportable offence".
Of the players cited by the MRP during its Monday review, Dawson, who was booked for kneeing Jack Riewoldt during the Dockers' win over Richmond on Saturday, went closest to copping a suspension.
The incident involving Dawson was assessed as negligent, low impact and body contact.
The initial penalty was a one-match suspension, but Dawson has accepted a reprimand and 97.5 carryover points by pleading guilty.
Thomas was booked for striking Hawks midfielder Isaac Smith.
His initial penalty was a reprimand and 80 carryover points, but he has reduced the damage to 60 carryover points with an early guilty plea.
Armfield attracted the panel's attention twice and received a $900 fine for throwing Hawthorn's Grant Birchall into the fence and a reprimand for striking Birchall in the ensuing altercation, along with 70.31 carryover points by pleading guilty.
The AFL wishes to advise the Tribunal will not sit tonight, Tuesday June 17, after all players accepted the sanctions offered by the Match Review Panel from Round 13.
What will give Brisbane the edge when they meet their old foes, Adelaide, in a preliminary?
10:05
Full 2024 draft recap: Who came out on top?
Draft guru Cal Twomey teams up with Nat Edwards and Riley Beveridge to unpack all the winners and surprises from the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft
03:29
Roos explain shock pick swap, praise O’Sullivan
North Melbourne’s Will Thursfield offers insight into his club’s bold trade with Richmond and explains why No.2 pick Finn O’Sullivan is one to watch for fans
06:37
Tigers’ draft jackpot: What’s in store for 2025
Richmond’s Blair Hartley unpacks his club’s impressive draft haul and weighs in on No.1 pick Sam Lalor’s round one hopes