Charges laid:
Nathan Van Berlo, Adelaide Crows, has been charged with a Level One striking offence (80 demerit points, reprimand) for striking Tom Rockliff, Brisbane Lions, during the second quarter of the Round Two match between the Adelaide Crows and the Brisbane Lions, played at the Gabba on Saturday April 6, 2013.
In summary, due to a six-year good record, he can accept a reprimand and 45 points towards his future record with an early plea.
Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Brisbane Lions Football Club, the incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points). 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 six-year good record, which reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 60 demerit points. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 45 points towards his future record.
Other incidents assessed:
Contact between Melbourne’s Tom Gillies and Essendon’s Alwyn Davey from the fourth quarter of Saturday’s match was assessed. Davey has the ball close to the boundary line and is tackled by Gillies as he goes over the line. Gillies continues with his tackling action over the boundary line and Davey makes contact with the fence. A free kick was paid to Davey at the time, for late contact. After viewing all available footage, receiving a medical report from the Essendon Football Club and speaking to the umpire who paid the free kick, it was the view of the panel the force used was below that required to constitute a report. No further action was taken.
Contact between the Geelong Cats’ Matthew Stokes and North Melbourne’s Scott Thompson from the fourth quarter of Sunday’s match was assessed. Thompson is away from play with Stokes running alongside him. Stokes makes high contact to the North Melbourne player and a free kick was paid at the time. After speaking to the umpire who paid the free kick, reviewing all available footage and receiving a medical report from the North Melbourne Football Club, it was the view of the panel the force used was below that required to constitute a reportable offence.
