Two-time Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett is set to miss out on Geelong’s Round 8 fixture versus North Melbourne are he was offered a one-game ban by the AFL’s Match Review Officer Michael Christian.
Ablett was charged with striking Essendon’s Dylan Shiel in the first quarter of the match between the Cats and Bombers on Sunday.
The MRO classified the incident as intention high contact, but with a low impact, resulting in a one-match suspension.
Ablett has the option of taking the case to the AFL Tribunal, where the MRO’s decision could potentially be overturned, allowing him to play.
Several players have been successful in seeking to have suspensions either reduced or overturned entirely at the Tribunal this year.
While the high contact was undeniable Ablett could, if he takes the case to the tribunal, seek to argue either that the force was insufficient to justify a suspension, or that it was not intentional.
Both options would appear to probably be a long shot, but stranger things have happened at the tribunal.
Ablett is averaging 22 disposals and 1.7 goals per game so far this year in a new forward-line role, and appears a strong chance to be named an All Australian for the ninth time.
This suspension, if accepted, would make him ineligible to win a third Brownlow Medal in 2019.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Disagree. Good decision. The Cats on principle after winning this should now choose to rest Gary.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Wrong decision for mine even if the force was low. Double standards being applied to different players.
Raimond
Roar Guru
So it's c/r/p/t/n that gets caught up in the filter. We need a list of banned words.
Raimond
Roar Guru
.
Fat Toad
Roar Rookie
Christian is only one step in the process and is their to stream line things. If teams feel that they are hard done by, the Tribunal is there to protect the player and club's interestes.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
God is good.
Cat
Roar Guru
Gary Ablett has been found NOT guilty of 'intentional' conduct by the AFL Tribunal. His impeccable Match Review record remains.
Peter Warrington
Guest
Dusty's one was downgraded but they started with medium because it was offball. Still, if that ended low, surely this is "insufficient force to constitute a strike?" (rubbish way to smother? if i were he i would say that shoulder deterioration prevents me from doing a traditional smother?)
Onside
Guest
When a player intentionally uses their elbow, it is always with a closed fist. A newspaper photo of the incident showed Ablett making high contact , but his hand was open, limp. The judgement may be technically correct, but in the spirit of things, harsh. Re Brownlow: a split second technical foul, an unintentional accident in the heat of contest, in no way relates to the concept of fairness.
JW
Guest
It's because his intent was to smother the handpass, not elbow shield in the head. Baffling decision.
JW
Guest
How that was determined an intentional strike is beyond me. His intent was clearly to smother the handpass. Have the folks on the tribunal ever played footy? Anyway, let the old man have a rest, he's earned it.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
If they do take it to the tribunal then his status in the game is exactly what will get him off.
McBruce
Roar Rookie
Did Ryan get reported for the head clash he initiated with Tom Stewart? WTF is Christian smoking?
McBruce
Roar Rookie
yep - let's face it, Cats will only lose another couple of games all H&A season. It'll be good for them to see who steps up without him (if they lose the appeal)
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I agree
Birdman
Roar Rookie
https://www.google.com/search?q=hawkins+punch+on+stratton&client=tablet-android-samsung&prmd=sinv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjIsr2R2IbiAhUaWysKHctfB1cQ_AUoAnoECAwQAg&biw=800&bih=1280#imgrc=5l4IG_UTNBEuRM Hmmm....
McBruce
Roar Rookie
Cats should challenge it and rest him if they win.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
https://www.google.com/search?q=hawkins+punch+on+stratton&client=tablet-android-samsung&prmd=sinv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjIsr2R2IbiAhUaWysKHctfB1cQ_AUoAnoECAwQAg&biw=800&bih=1280#imgrc=5l4IG_UTNBEuRM
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Sorry Birdman too obscure for me.
Cat
Roar Guru
Fact still remains Hawkins is the only player to ever get suspended (and threatened with an extra game if he challenged it) for a jumper punch.