The AFL wishes to advise the Match Review Panel has reviewed the first seven of the weekend’s matches. The following charges were laid:
 
Charges Laid
Jay Schulz, Port Adelaide, has been charged with a first offence for wrestling Rick Ladson, Hawthorn, during the first quarter of the Round Seven match between Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, played at AAMI Stadium on Friday May 6, 2011.
 
In summary, he can accept a $900 sanction with an early plea.
 
A first offence for wrestling is a $1200 sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a $900 sanction.
 
Ted Richards, Sydney Swans, has been charged with a Level Two engaging in rough conduct offence against Lindsay Gilbee, Western Bulldogs, during the second quarter of the Round Seven match between the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs, played at Manuka Oval on Saturday May 7, 2011.
 
In summary, due to a five-year good record, he can accept a one-match sanction with an early plea.
 
Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Western Bulldogs, the incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), medium impact (two points) 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 five-year good record, reducing the penalty by 25 per cent to 168.75 points and a one-match sanction. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to 126.56 points and a one-match sanction.
 
Nathan Fyfe, Fremantle, has been charged with a second offence for making negligent contact with an umpire (Shane Stewart) during the second quarter of the Round Seven match between Fremantle and Richmond, played the MCG on Saturday May 7, 2011.
 
In summary, he can accept an $1800 sanction with an early plea.
 
A second offence for making negligent contact with an umpire is a $2400 sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to an $1800 sanction.
 
Jack Redden, Brisbane Lions, has been charged with a Level Two tripping offence against Gary Ablett, Gold Coast Suns, during the first quarter of the Round Seven match between the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast Suns, played at the Gabba on Saturday May 7, 2011.
 
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 Gold Coast Suns, the incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), medium impact (two points) 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.
 
Nathan Lovett-Murray, Essendon, has been charged with a first offence for making negligent contact with an umpire (Matt Leppard) during the second quarter of the Round Seven match between Essendon and West Coast, played at Etihad Stadium on Sunday May 8, 2011.
 
In summary, he can accept a $900 sanction with an early plea.
 
A first offence for making negligent contact with an umpire is a $1200 sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a $900 sanction.
 
Jack Trengove, Melbourne, has been charged with a Level Three engaging in rough conduct offence against Patrick Dangerfield, Adelaide Crows, during the third quarter of the Round Seven match between Melbourne and the Adelaide Crows, played at the MCG on Sunday May 8, 2011.
 
In summary, he can accept a two-match sanction with an early plea.
 
Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Adelaide Crows, the incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), high impact (three points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of six activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Three offence, drawing 325 demerit points and a three-match sanction. He has no existing good or bad record. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to 243.75 points and a two-match sanction.
 
Other incidents assessed
The match day report against Essendon’s Kyle Reimers for tripping West Coast’s Sam Butler was assessed. The panel said that Butler had the ball on the wing and was moving forward into his team’s attacking area. Reimers comes towards Butler and attempts to smother as Butler shapes to kick. The Essendon player slips to the ground as Butler changes direction to go around him, and their legs make contact. Under the revised Tribunal guidelines that define a reportable offence for tripping, it was the panel’s view that force was not sufficient to be a reportable offence, after the free kick was correctly paid. Player Butler was not moving quickly and the contact was not made with a swinging leg motion. No further action was taken.
 
Contact between the Gold Coast Suns’ David Swallow and the Brisbane Lions’ Andrew Raines from the third quarter of Saturday’s match was assessed. Brisbane player Todd Banfield has possession and handballs towards his teammate Raines as he is tackled. As Raines is waiting for the ball to come to him, Swallow comes in to spoil the ball away from the contest. Swallow spoils the ball and also makes high contact to Raines as he punches the ball. It was the view of the panel that Swallow’s actions were a legitimate spoiling action and the contact made was not a striking motion. It was their view that the high contact was accidental and no further action was taken.
 
Contact between West Coast’s Mark Nicoski and Essendon’s Heath Hocking from the fourth quarter of Sunday’s match was assessed. The force was below that required to constitute a reportable offence. No further action was taken.