ST KILDA youngster Anthony Caminiti has been handed a three-game ban by the Tribunal after successfully proving his off-the-ball hit that concussed Collingwood's Nathan Murphy was careless, not intentional.
The AFL had pushed for a five-game ban if Caminiti's original striking charge, assessed by match review officer Michael Christian as intentional conduct, severe impact and high contact, was upheld
Vision showed Murphy forcefully pushing Caminiti in the chest/neck region and the St Kilda forward responding with a high raised forearm that felled his opponent.
The AFL also wanted a four-match ban if the charge was downgraded to careless conduct, while St Kilda pushed for four if intentional and three if careless.
St Kilda contended the incident should be assessed as careless conduct while AFL counsel Nick Pane KC said as the hit was off-the-ball, it should be considered intentional.
After 42 minutes of deliberation, the Tribunal panel sided with St Kilda.
Panel chair Jeff Gleeson noted "Murphy's body lowered before impact and that appears to have contributed significantly to Caminiti hitting his head" and accepted the incident wasn't fully off-the-ball.
The young forward was adamant he wasn't retaliating to Murphy's earlier shove and said he was anticipating a marking contest and was attempting to push the defender away to "create separation" from the defender.
"At the time I was completely unaware I hit him anywhere near the head or chin, I thought it was in the chest," he said.
"Now looking at the vision, it's clear that I must've accidentally nicked him in the chin."
Caminiti reached out to Murphy after the match to apologise while St Kilda tried and failed to include a text from the defender, indicating he had slipped prior to the contact, as evidence.
Murphy, who later had words with the Saints contingent on the boundary line, will miss Collingwood's Anzac Day blockbuster against Essendon as a result of the concussion.
"While we’re disappointed Anthony will now be unavailable for three weeks, we are pleased to have had the contact intent reviewed and adjusted accordingly," acting Saints footy boss David Misson said.
"As a club we place a premium on protecting the heads of not only our players, but our opponents, however as we saw tonight, incidents should be adjudicated on a case-by-case basis.
"Anthony is a young player only five games into his AFL career and our focus is on supporting him throughout this process.
"We're confident this will serve as a big learning for him, which he we know he will embrace."
Caminiti wished Murphy a speedy recovery and quick return to full health.
"This is a disappointing situation, but I understand the importance we as a competition must place on protecting the heads of our players, and I respect the decision of the Tribunal," Caminiti said.
"My thoughts are with Nathan and I hope he makes a speedy recovery from concussion and returns to the field as soon as he can."
Caminiti landed at St Kilda during the supplemental selection period and has played a key role in a makeshift forward line over the opening five rounds this season.
On a busy night for the Tribunal, Collingwood midfielder Taylor Adams and Essendon captain Zach Merrett both had their one-match bans upheld, meaning they'll miss Tuesday's Anzac Day clash at what is sure to be a packed MCG.
