The AFL wishes to advise the Match Review Panel has reviewed the weekend’s matches. The following charges were laid:

Charges Laid:

James Kelly, Geelong Cats, has been charged with a Level Two engaging in rough conduct offence (225 demerit points, two-match sanction) for engaging in rough conduct against Brendon Goddard, Essendon, during the third quarter of the Round Seven match between the Geelong Cats and Essendon, played at Etihad Stadium on Friday May 10, 2013.

In summary, due to his previous poor record, he can accept a two-match sanction with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Essendon Football Club, the incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points). 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 an existing bad record of one match suspended within the last two years and 64.06 demerit points carried over, increasing the penalty to 289.06 points and a two-match sanction. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to 216.80 points and a two-match sanction.

Jay Schulz, Port Adelaide, has been charged with a Level Two striking offence (125 demerit points, one-match sanction) for striking Alex Rance, Richmond, during the first quarter of the Round Seven match between Port Adelaide and Richmond, played at AAMI Stadium on Saturday May 11, 2013.

In summary, he can accept a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Richmond 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 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has no existing good or bad record. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record.

Liam Picken, Western Bulldogs, has been charged with a level Two striking offence (125 demerit points, one-match sanction) for striking Andrew Swallow, North Melbourne, during the third quarter of the Round Seven match between the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne, played at Etihad Stadium on Saturday May 11, 2013.

In summary, he can accept a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the North Melbourne 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 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has no existing good or bad record. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record.

Heath Shaw, Collingwood, has been charged with a Level Three striking offence (225 demerit points, two-match sanction) for striking Hayden Ballantyne, Fremantle, during the second quarter of the Round Seven match between Collingwood and Fremantle, played at Patersons Stadium on Saturday May 22, 2013.

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

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Fremantle Football Club, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and groin contact (two points). This is a total of six activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Three 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.

Rhys Palmer, GWS Giants, has been charged with a Level Two striking offence (125 demerit points, one-match sanction) for striking Patrick Dangerfield, Adelaide Crows, during the third quarter of the Round Seven match between the GWS Giants and the Adelaide Crows, played at Skoda Stadium on Sunday May 12, 2013.

In summary, he can accept a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the North Melbourne 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 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has no existing good or bad record. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record.

Chris Dawes, Melbourne, has been charged with a Level Two striking offence (125 demerit points, one-match sanction) for striking Tom Murphy, Gold Coast Suns, during the third quarter of the Round Seven match between Melbourne and the Gold Coast Suns, played at the MCG on Sunday May 12, 2013.

In summary, he can accept a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Gold Coast Suns Football Club, the incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points), This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Two offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has no existing good or bad record. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record.

Colin Sylvia, Melbourne, has been charged with a Level Four Striking offence (325 demerit points, three-match sanction) for striking Jared Brennan, Gold Coast Suns, during the third quarter of the Round Seven match between Melbourne and the Gold Coast Suns, played at the MCG on Sunday May 12, 2013.

In summary, due to his previous bad record, his three-match sanction must remain at three matches, even with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Gold Coast Suns Football Club, the incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), high impact (three points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of seven activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Four offence, drawing 325 demerit points and a three-match sanction. He has an existing bad record of two matches suspended within the last two years and 93.75 carry-over points, increasing the penalty to 418.75 points and a four-match sanction. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to 314.06 points and a three-match sanction.

Other Incidents Assessed:

The match day report against the Western Bulldog’s Mark Austin for making forceful contact from front-on against North Melbourne’s Leigh Adams was assessed. The panel said Adams was bent down in a bid to pick up the ball when Austin comes from the side and bumps the North Melbourne player. After speaking to the umpire who laid the report on the day, viewing all available footage and taking into consideration a medical report from the North Melbourne Football Club, it was the view of the panel the majority of the contact was to Adams’ shoulder and there was no forceful high contact. No further action was taken.

Contact between the Brisbane Lions’ Daniel Merrett and West Coast’s Jack Darling from the first quarter of Saturday’s match was assessed. The ball is kicked forward to Darling and Merrett is running to the contest. At the last moment, Darling jumps in the air and, as he does so, Merrett braces for contact. It was the view of the panel that Merrett had braced for contact at the same moment that Darling left the ground and his actions did not constitute a reportable offence.

Contact between West Coast’s Ashley Smith and the Brisbane Lions’ Tom Rockliff from the fourth quarter of Saturday’s match was assessed. Sharrod Wellingham was preparing to kick the ball with Rockliff moving towards him. As the West Coast player disposed of the ball, Smith bumped Rockliff to the ground. It was the view of the panel there was no forceful high contact made with the bump and the ball was within five metres of a block on a player who could reasonably have expected contact to be made with him. No further action was taken.

Contact between Port Adelaide’s Jarrad Redden and Richmond’s Shane Tuck from the third quarter of Saturday’s match was assessed. Ollie Wines was preparing to kick for goal and play had ceased temporarily. When play was stopped, Redden bumped Tuck to his shoulder / side area. After viewing all available footage and receiving a medical report from the Richmond Football Club, it was the view of the panel that while Tuck had received medical attention for previous contact, he had been cleared to continue playing by the club’s medical staff and he continued to play for some time after the contact by Redden. it was the view of the panel that Redden’s actions did not constitute contact with an injured player.

Contact between Hawthorn’s Taylor Duryea and the Sydney Swans’ Ben McGlynn from the second quarter of Saturday’s match was assessed. McGlynn receives the ball and snaps the ball towards goal as Duryea comes towards him in an attempt to smother the kick. Duryea has his arms out in a bid to smother when he makes contact with McGlynn and it was the view of the panel he had no realistic alternative way to contest the ball.

Contact between the Sydney Swans’  Adam Goodes and Hawthorn’s Josh Gibson from the third quarter of Saturday’s match was assessed. The ball is loose on the ground with Goodes and Gibson coming to the contest at an angle to each other. As Gibson reaches for the ball, Goodes attempts to kick it forward into the Sydney attacking area and makes contact with his opponent. It was the view of the panel that Goodes’ action was a legitimate attempt to kick the ball. No further action was taken.

Eddie Betts, Carlton, has been charged with a LevelFive Engaging in Rough Conduct offence (550 demerit points, five-match sanction)for engaging in rough conduct against Nathan Wright, St Kilda, during the thirdquarter of the Round Seven match between Carlton and St Kilda, played at EtihadStadium on Sunday May 12, 2013.

In summary, due to his previous six year good record, hisfive-match sanction can be reduced to three matches with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical reportfrom the St Kilda Football Club, the incident was assessed as reckless conduct(two points), severe impact (four points) and high contact (two points). Thisis a total of eight activation points, resulting in a classification of a LevelFive offence, drawing 550 demerit points and a five-match sanction. He has anexisting six-year good record which reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to412.50 points and a four-match sanction. An early plea reduces the sanction by25 per cent to 309.38 points and a three-match sanction.

Other Incidents Assessed:

Contact between St Kilda’s Jarryn Geary and Carlton’s MarcMurphy from the fourth quarter of Monday’s match was assessed. Murphy has wonthe ball after a centre bounce and handballs the ball while under pressure frombehind, as Geary approaches him. Geary bumps Murphy, making high contact andthe Carlton player goes to ground, before immediately returning to his feet andcontinuing to play on in the match. After viewing all available footage andreceiving a medical report from the Carlton Football Club, it was the view ofthe panel the force used in the bump was below that required to constitute areportable offence.

Eddie Betts, Carlton, has been charged with a LevelFive Engaging in Rough Conduct offence (550 demerit points, five-matchsanction) for engaging in rough conduct against Nathan Wright, St Kilda, duringthe third quarter of the Round Seven match between Carlton and St Kilda, playedat Etihad Stadium on Sunday May 12, 2013.

In summary, due to his previous six year good record, hisfive-match sanction can be reduced to three matches with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical reportfrom the St Kilda Football Club, the incident was assessed as reckless conduct(two points), severe impact (four points) and high contact (two points). Thisis a total of eight activation points, resulting in a classification of a LevelFive offence, drawing 550 demerit points and a five-match sanction. He has anexisting six-year good record which reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to412.50 points and a four-match sanction. An early plea reduces the sanction by25 per cent to 309.38 points and a three-match sanction.

Other Incidents Assessed:

Contact between St Kilda’s Jarryn Geary and Carlton’s MarcMurphy from the fourth quarter of Monday’s match was assessed. Murphy has wonthe ball after a centre bounce and handballs the ball while under pressure frombehind, as Geary approaches him. Geary bumps Murphy, making high contact andthe Carlton player goes to ground, before immediately returning to his feet andcontinuing to play on in the match. After viewing all available footage andreceiving a medical report from the Carlton Football Club, it was the view ofthe panel the force used in the bump was below that required to constitute areportable offence.

Ends

Patrick Keane