The AFL wishes to advise the Match Review Panel has reviewed the second week of Round One matches. The following charges were laid:

Charges Laid:

Tom Rockliff, Brisbane Lions, has been charged after an investigation by the Match Review Panel with a Level Two Engaging in Rough Conduct Offence (225 demerit points, two-match sanction) for engaging in rough conduct against Sam Mitchell, Hawthorn, during the first quarter of the Round One match between the Brisbane Lions and Hawthorn played at Aurora Stadium on Saturday March 22, 2014.

In summary, he can accept a one-match sanction with an early plea.

Based on the MRP investigation, the video evidence available and a medical report from the Hawthorn Football Club, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Two Offence, drawing 225 demerit points and a two-match sanction. He has no existing good or bad record. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to 168.75 points and a one-match sanction.

Sharrod Wellingham, West Coast, has been charged with a Level One Tripping Offence (80 demerit points, reprimand) for tripping Jason Johannisen, Western Bulldogs, during the third quarter of the Round One match between West Coast and the Western Bulldogs, played at Patersons Stadium on Sunday March 23, 2014.

In summary, he can accept a reprimand and 66 demerit points towards his future record with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Western Bulldogs Football Club, the incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point). This is a total of four activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level One Offence, drawing 80 demerit points and a reprimand. He has an existing bad record of three matches suspended within the last two years, increasing the penalty by 10 per cent to 88 demerit points. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to 66 demerit points and a reprimand.

Other Incidents Assessed:

The match day report laid against the Adelaide Crows’ Lewis Johnston for forceful contact from front-on against the Geelong Cats’ Steve Johnson was assessed. The panel said the ball had been kicked into Adelaide’s forward line when it was spoiled to the ground. Geelong’s Corey Enright won the ball and handballed towards his teammate Johnson, who had the ball bounce in front of him. As Johnson was bending down to collect the ball, his opponent Johnston was coming to the contest and turned sideways and made high contact. It was the view of the panel, after speaking to the umpire who laid the match-day report, as well as reviewing all available footage and receiving a medical report from the Geelong Cats, that the force used in the contact was below that required to constitute a reportable offence. No further action was taken.

Contact between Hawthorn’s Josh Gibson and the Brisbane Lions’ Michael Close from the third quarter of Saturday’s match was assessed. The panel said Close had gathered a loose ball and was immediately tackled by Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell. As Mitchell is dragging Close down, Gibson then came to the contest in an attempt to tackle Close and made high contact. A free kick was paid for the high contact. It was the view of the panel the high contact by Gibson was caused by circumstances outside the player’s control and that Gibson was attempting to lay a legitimate tackle. No further action was taken.

Ends

Patrick Keane