Brisbane will take Jarrod Berry’s one-week suspension for an incident with Clayton Oliver in their semi final win over Melbourne to the AFL Tribunal.
Berry was accused of eye-gouging the Demons star during a scuffle in the third quarter at the MCG, with Oliver quickly complaining to the umpire.
Match Review Officer Michael Christian charged Berry with making ‘unreasonable or unnecessary contact to Oliver’s eye region’, grading the incident as intentional conduct, low impact and high contact.
The suspension would have seen Berry ruled out of the Lions’ preliminary final clash with Geelong; with the stakes so high, theywere always expected to take the case further.
The suspension has sparked major debate since being handed down on Saturday evening, with Fox Footy‘s Jason Dunstall saying the incident should have been classed as ‘careless’ rather than ‘intentional’.
“I think careless is a great way to describe it… he’s getting his face and his neck crushed by a forearm,” Dunstall said.
“You’re just grappling and trying to struggle to find a little bit of freedom. I didn’t see the fingers go into the eyes at all, so I think they’ve got a great case to argue.
“There’s a difference between pushing a face and actually getting the fingers in and gouging.
“If you can bring it back to careless, I think you can get it to a fine.”
The 24-year old was one of the Lions’ best afield in their semi final triumph, winning 26 disposals, including 22 in the second half when he was moved to tag Oliver.
The alleged eye gouge dominated discussion immediately following the match, with Fox Footy‘s Garry Lyon suggesting Berry was in for a ‘world of pain’ for the incident.
“I don’t want to use the word eye gouge, but we know when you get into this situation sometimes you’re doing things to try and get yourself out of them.
“Any hand around the eye or motion around the eye is always going to be something the MRO look on very sternly.
“It’s the first movement – it’s a slight raking motion of the eyes. I don’t think you can be a little bit guilty of this.”
Fellow panellist Nathan Buckley agreed, describing it as a ‘really poor moment’ from Berry.
“That is so bittersweet. The thing that has won them this game is that match up [Berry’s tag on Oliver],” Buckley said.
“That performance in the second half by a young player, but he’s very unlikely to see next week given that incident.”
However, Berry himself believed he had no case to answer, telling Fox it was ‘nothing purposeful’.
“Just a little scuffle in the centre of the MCG, you know how it is,” Berry said following the match.
“It’s just part of the contest and just part of the mental battle.”
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Don Freo
Roar Rookie
There you go again.
McTavish
Roar Rookie
Looks like Dunstall was the one who knew what he was talking about!
Handles
Roar Guru
1. I've never argued with you before. 2. I doubt I've used the words on this forum ever. 3. You have exposed precisely zero limitations to my argument, as your childish concession in the first sentence admits. Otherwise, right on!
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
That's rubbish. You're watching cartoons. You could freeze frame it at any time throughout. It was a choke. You'll have no takers for that one, DSC.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I'd expect Oliver to appeal this decision. He seems like that sort of bloke.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Then they're both tattle-tales. You like your "rabbit hole" comment, don't you? The 5th time you've used it when your limitations of argument have been exposed...as you join the walk down that rabbit hole.
Handles
Roar Guru
Sorry Don, you are in danger of disappearing down a rabbit hole. You called Oliver a "tattle tale". I thought that was a ridiculous comment, and I pointed out that when Berry was gouged, he did exactly the same thing. My position is that almost all players will immediately complain to the umpire about perceived gouging. Where is the double standard?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Wow...you're saying that's not OK? Then it is OK when Oliver does it. Can you not see the double standard? Your forgiveness seems selective.
Handles
Roar Guru
Whatever happened between Andrew Brayshaw and Berry, the point I was making is that Berry went straight to the umpire and said he'd been gouged. As do all players who think their eyes have been attacked. And Brayshaw got a week.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
This is standard- build more media and interest... Match review charge Berry with a week, Club appeal Tribunal- uphold- Appeal where it's overturn.... AFL stays in the media all week. Berry plays.... And hopefully take a Geelong prime mover down
Cec
Roar Rookie
Oliver is the one who should be suspended! Was Oliver’s forearm high contact, yes clearly on his throat and above what is deemed high contact in general play. Was it intentional high contact, yes that looks deliberate from Oliver as he continued to drive his forearm in Berry’s throat to choke him. Was there force in the contact, well of course Oliver is pushing down with his body weight on Berry’s throat & it doesn’t take much to damage the throat/windpipe. None of Oliver’s actions are legal or normal actions of general play & in fact imho thuggish from Clayton. I get Oliver is upset that he’s getting whipped by Berry around the ground but that doesn’t excuse his high, deliberate and forceful contact to the throat, face etc.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Berry wasn't gouged. You are making things up. I pointed this out when it happened during the live feed. Kane copied me.
Handles
Roar Guru
Tattle tail? Been listening to Kane Cornes? Ironic that when Berry was gouged he went straight to the umpires as well. 'Player's code' doesn't extend to gouging, or biting. Never has.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
The finger went across his right cheek for 0.37 secs (I timed it). Tattle-tale Oliver pointed to his left eye. Berry's hand never went there. Oliver started it, the umpire should have finished it with an immediate "too high" against Oliver, then a 50m for not getting off him, then another 50m for his usual 'disputing' the call.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
We're we?
DSC
Guest
Find a frame in the video where Oliver's forearm is actually on Berry's throat. Hint: there isn't one, because Berry put his chin to his chest to prevent it.
Homer Nixon
Guest
9/10 times if you are getting a forearm pinned to your face/neck, you did something to deserve it
Handles
Roar Guru
Who said "what about"? Not me.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
He couldn't be cited for deliberate because he couldn't see what he was doing. Careless. Fined. As soon as you say "what about "? you lose the argument.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
That's rubbish, and even if it was true, my question still stands.