The AFL wishes to advise the Match Review Panel has reviewed Round Nine. The following charges were laid:

Charges Laid:

Chris Dawes, Melbourne, has been charged with a Level Three Striking Offence (225 demerit points, two-match sanction) for striking Alex Rance, Richmond, during the first quarter of the Round Nine match between Melbourne and Richmond, played at the MCG on Saturday May 17, 2014.

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 Richmond Football Club, the incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), medium impact (two points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of six 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 demerit points and a one-match sanction.

Zac Clarke, Fremantle, has been charged with a Level Two Striking Offence (125 demerit points, one-match sanction) for striking Steve Johnson, Geelong Cats, during the second quarter of the Round Nine match between Fremantle and the Geelong Cats, played at Patersons Stadium on Saturday May 17, 2014.

In summary, his one-match sanction can be reduced to a reprimand and 93.75 demerit points towards his future record with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Geelong Cats 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 One 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 demerit points towards his future record.

Steve Johnson, Geelong Cats, has been charged with a Level One Misconduct Offence (125 demerit points, one-match sanction) for misconduct in that he made contact with his head to Ryan Crowley, Fremantle, during the second quarter of the Round Nine match between the Geelong Cats and Fremantle, played at Patersons Stadium on Saturday May 17, 2014.

In summary, due to his previous poor record and carry-over demerit points from a previous offence, his one-match sanction must remain at one-match sanction, even with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Fremantle 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 an existing bad record of five matches suspended within the last two years, increasing the penalty by 30 per cent to 162.50 points and a one-match sanction. He also has 71.78 demerit points carried over within the last 12 months, increasing the penalty to 234.28 points and a two-match sanction. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to 175.31 demerit points and a one-match sanction.

Other Incidents Assessed:

Contact between the Sydney Swans’ Nick Malceski and umpire Troy Pannell from the third quarter of Friday’s match was assessed. Umpire Pannell was backing away from play while Malceski was not looking at the umpire, with his focus elsewhere, and a collision occurred. It was the view of the panel the collision was accidental and no further action was taken.

Contact between the Sydney Swans’ Dan Hannebery and Essendon’s Michael Hurley from the third quarter of Friday’s match was assessed. The ball was loose with Hurley and Hannebery coming to the contest from opposite directions. Hurley is reaching forward to pick up the ball while Hannebery also has his arms out to collect the ball, while turning to the side at the last moment. The pair reach the loose ball at the same time with both players attempting to take possession and a collision occurs. It was the view of the panel that Hannebery was contesting the ball and the Sydney player did not have a realistic alternative way to contest the ball. No further action was taken.

Contact between the Geelong Cats’ Steve Johnson and Fremantle’s Michael Barlow from the fourth quarter of Saturday’s match was assessed. The force used was below that required to constitute a reportable offence and a free kick was paid at the time for the high contact. No further action was taken.