The Western Bulldogs have had a major win at the VFL appeals board, reducing Will Minson’s four-game ban to a reprimand and fine.
It means Minson will return to their AFL team for Saturday’s match against GWS at Etihad Stadium.
The VFL tribunal hit Minson with a four-game ban on Tuesday for umpire contact.
It would have effectively meant a five-game suspension, given the VFL also has a bye in that period.
Minson has been out of the senior team since round three.
He is among six inclusions for the Bulldogs, who have lost their last three games.
The appeals board fined Minson $7500 as well as reprimanding him “in the most severe terms”.
Minson was sent off on Sunday for the umpire contact while playing for Footscray against North Ballarat.
He pushed field umpire Thomas Chrystie in the back when his goal was disallowed.
After not giving evidence at the tribunal, Minson testified at his appeal hearing.
He agreed with Chrystie that after the goal was ruled a touched behind, Minson said “are you f***ing kidding me?”
Minson then reached out and made contact with Chrystie, but said it was minimal.
“I reached out with my hand as I often do when I’m communicating and I made contact with the umpire,” he said.
“My only intention was to engage in conversation with umpire Chrystie.”
On Wednesday, the AFL Players Association weighed into the case, releasing a statement that described the four-match ban as entirely disproportionate.
Sir Ossis
Guest
I'm sure Danyle Pearce and Kane Cornes agree with your positive assessment of this thug.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I'd be spewin' if I had to pay $7.5k. I think that's a pretty big punishment. But hey, I'm surprised you're not suggesting he should be thrown in prison or hung from the gallows, Sir Oafish.
Paul W
Guest
Thanks for your defining him as a noted bully Sir Assis. No idea of the great work he does off the field I guess. The four weeks given by a self serving, big noting VFL panel was a disgrace and out of touch with the community's expectations.
Sir Ossis
Guest
Maybe Minson just 'braced' and got off 'for the good of the game'? Seriously though, he is a noted bully and should have gone for 4 weeks for this. Hope no umpires get shoved and abused this weekend because of the message this slap on the wrist sends. It proves again that a loud media campaign will make the AFL forget it's principles.
Aransan
Guest
If it had just been between Minson and the umpire then I think a fine alone would have been sufficient punishment and it was important that the umpire and the umpires association supported him. The problem is that there is vision of what happened and it has attracted wide publicity, it would be worrying if players at lower levels felt that a precedent had been set. The AFLPA should have kept out of this.