Geelong have been dealt a major blow at the AFL Tribunal on Monday night, as the panel ruled against their appeal and upheld a one-match ban for star forward Tom Hawkins.
Hawkins was offered the one-game suspension by the AFL’s Match Review Officer Michael Christian on Saturday, who charged him with striking Will Schofield and assessed the incident as intentional, low-impact, high contact.
A West Coast Eagles medical report said Will Schofield was assessed at three-quarter time, and did not require any treatment. However, it was recorded that he experienced “moderate pain to his temple.”
Hawkins accepted the charge as high-contact and low-impact, but argued that his conduct was careless, not intentional, a distinction that, if accepted, would see his suspension downgraded to a fine.
“No I didn’t intentionally hit him,” Hawkins said while giving evidence.
“I was trying to fight for best position to get back to the football, or where the football was coming from.
“I was restricted in the fact I was being held. I was just trying to get best position on my direct opponent.”
Hawkins said that Schofield grabbed his arm “pretty forcefully” as he attempted to run towards the contest.
“The only way I felt like I could get away, other than turning my back on play, was to pull my arm out as forcefully as I could,” said Hawkins.
Hawkins said Schofield dipped down as a result of him pulling his arm away, and that he made contact to Schofield’s neck with the inside of his forearm.
He said that when he realised he had made contact with Schofield, he went back to him “to make sure he was OK.”
The AFL’s counsel Nick Pane argued that Hawkins’ version of events didn’t explain his clenched fist or outstretched arm.
Pane argued that Hawkins “clearly has a clenched fist” during the incident, and that he had made a “forceful swinging motion”.
Hawkins’ lawyer Ben Ihle disagreed, saying the motion of Hawkins returning to his running trajectory after wrenching his arm free was what had caused the strike.
At one point during his testimony, Hawkins stood up to give the Tribunal a physical re-enaction of his attempt to run past Schofield.
Geelong could still pursue an appeal of the AFL Tribunal’s finding, but it appears unlikely they will go down this path.
Realist
Guest
Did somebody call??? :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
RT
Roar Rookie
Since you love free kick counts, wont don't you check the tally in that 2017 game at Kardinia Park you refer to?
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Lamb, if I am unable, please dispose of Spruce Moose and Realist. You would know why.
anon
Roar Pro
Very rarely. No excuses. Just realistic.
Iambillbob
Roar Rookie
I think too who wins this wins the cup....can’t wait ay....following a good team the last 3 years you sorta know your gonna be here at the end of the day...cats have been going it for 13 years straight.....so following a mediocre team for 27 years it nice to be a heavyweight these days....as much as I give it to everyone, I respect the cats n wouldn’t be be surprised if the cats win..good luck n enjoy the came mate..go tigers
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
No side to barrack for, so many excuses, are you ever wrong?
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I am going to the game. It is the real grand final. Shame that Tomohawk won’t be there. This is the the cup. Gamon.
anon
Roar Pro
I thought Geelong/West Coast was a 50/50 game. Considering it was 1st vs 5th and a Geelong home game, plus history shows only hafl a dozen sides have ever gone out in straight sets, they should have been red hot favourites but they weren't. Throw in Rioli getting stood down too. But they weren't heavy favourite. Slightly better than even money is all. If West Coast beat Hawthorn in the final round it would have been Richmond then Collingwood they faced.
Slane
Guest
Strange that you would tip both Geelong and Brisbane to go out in straight sets(with your caveats) when the only way Geelong were ever going to play Richmond before this weekend was if Brisbane beat the Tigers. Seems like you've managed to cover all your bases with your 'predictions' yet again. I'm tipping a horse with 4 legs will win the Melbourne Cup this year.
Jack T
Roar Rookie
lol, sound like chris scott already giving out the excuses
Nick
Roar Guru
I didn't realise develop was a word the censors were stamping out
Nick
Roar Guru
Ok... You got me. I am Waleed Aly. Hi all. Please watch the project
RT
Roar Rookie
He jumped on the pack, possibly post whistle. Then he reached across to put his fingers in someone's face. That is doing something wrong. The only question to me is the grading. Last week he should have been suspended for holding someone by the hair and banging their head on the ground.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I can’t see him being rubbed out. He did nothing this week, unlike last. It is finals tribunal.
RT
Roar Rookie
It's a good point. Hawkins has played one good game in a month. They might be better without him.
RT
Roar Rookie
No I don't care. He hit someone in the head. If anyone else did that they too would be suspended. The winner of our game is probably better off with Greene playing to rough up Collingwood (and maybe get suspended from the Grand Final should GWS win) but for the greater good of the game I hope his appeal fails tonight.
Realist
Guest
More "serious contributions" Jacuzzi? Having "a laugh and a joke"? I can see a pattern of behaviour here. You need to get a life....your timestamps say your here practically 24/7! Hawkins, one week! :laughing: Oh, and Tigers would love to be "full strength" too. No Rance, No Tigers apparently. Anyway, we'll find out soon enough.
matt jenkinson
Guest
Im a Geelong man and accept the decision if we are good enough we win compensate we have other options up forward Esava, Patty, Harry T and the like. We all like the Tomahawk he has been great for us in so many important games e.g. Grandfinal v Collingwood a few years back and many Hawthorn games etc but when he is off he is badly off and the defensive efforts and lack of speed in my opinion can be questionable at times putting added pressure of the team as teams exit our forward line too easily when this is the case. He is great when he is in the zone.
anon
Roar Pro
I said if they play Richmond and Collingwood. The played West Coast champ. They had to travel 4000km
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
And floog , don’t misspell my name. it is just as relevant culturally as yours Whaleed. But it if you just ignored me I would be delighted. :thumbup: