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Brisbane star Charlie Cameron is free to face Geelong on Saturday after the AFL Tribunal used its discretion to turn his one-game suspension into a fine.
Cameron challenged the ban he initially received for a dumping tackle on Melbourne’s Jake Lever in Brisbane’s upset victory at the MCG.
On Tuesday night the tribunal dismissed his argument that the impact of the incident should have been graded as “low” rather than “medium”.
But the tribunal – led by chairman Jeff Gleeson – found exceptional and compelling circumstances to use its discretion to turn the ban into a fine, citing Cameron’s clean record throughout his 207-game career.
The verdict leaves Cameron free to face the Cats at the Gabba, where he will get to continue his streak of 123 consecutive games.
“His 207 games suspension-free puts him in a very small minority … only 668 players of the 13,125 who have played the game at the elite level have played 200 games,” Gleeson said.
“Almost half of those have been suspended for one match or more. Mr Cameron is clearly in the unusual category in this regard.”
Brisbane sought to have the impact grading lessened from medium to low, which would let Cameron escape with a fine, despite his guilty plea.
Cameron argued Lever’s momentum caused him to “lose control of the tackle”, but said he had added no extra force, while noting the Demon defender had an arm free to break his fall.
He pointed out that Lever threw his head up after it hit the ground, but said he was looking at the umpire for a free kick and it wasn’t the force of the tackle that had caused his head to bounce.
Tribunal counsel Sally Flynn said it was the potential to cause injury that warranted the medium grading, labelling the tackle “inherently dangerous”.
Lever’s “vulnerable” position, the angle and rotation of the tackle and the extent of the force were relied on to argue for medium impact.
Cameron looked back to his best as he slotted three goals in the Lions’ win against the Demons.
The Lions will now have the goalsneak’s services for Saturday night’s blockbuster with Geelong, when Brisbane will look to build on a two-game winning streak.
Carlton defender Adam Saad will be sidelined for six weeks with the hamstring injury he suffered in their upset AFL loss to Adelaide.
While the hamstring injuries to Mitch McGovern and Adam Cerra are not as severe, Saad will be a big loss for the Blues given the rebound he gives them from half-back.
Carlton are entering a challenging run of games, starting with top side GWS on Saturday at Marvel Stadium.
The Blues then play Geelong, who are also unbeaten, followed by arch-rivals Collingwood, Melbourne and the tough away trip against Sydney.
Saad went off during last Saturday’s match at Marvel Stadium, which the Crows won by two points.
It was Carlton’s first loss of the season.
McGovern also was hobbled by a hamstring injury late against the Crows, and Cerra was a late withdrawal with the same problem after he was hurt at training.
But the Blues announced in their weekly injury update that McGovern and Cerra should be out of action for only one to two weeks.
They join a lengthy Carlton injury list that features 13 sidelined players.
Melbourne fan favourite Jacob van Rooyen has signalled his Demon-ic intentions, signing a four-year contract extension with the AFL club.
The 21-year-old, who was already locked in for next season, agreed to terms on Tuesday, with the new deal taking his tenure through until at least the end of 2029.
The extension follows an impressive three years for the key forward, who won a VFL premiership in his first season at the club, and also made an immediate impression at senior level.
The 194cm van Rooyen was last year named best young player at Melbourne’s best and fairest awards ceremony.
Originally from Perth, van Rooyen became a Demon when he was taken at pick No.19 in the 2021 national draft.
After making his debut in 2022, van Rooyen quickly established himself as a cult hero, with Demon fans chanting “Roo” when he touches the ball.
He has played 26 games for the Demons, kicking 36 goals along the way.
Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb said the contract extension was great news for the red and blue.
“Jacob has applied himself terrifically since arriving at the club, and we are continually impressed by his attitude and eagerness to learn,” Lamb said.
“He is a much-loved character, both within the club and among our members and supporters, and at just 21 years old has an exciting future ahead.
“We have seen the impact Jacob can have at AFL level, and we look forward to hearing the ‘Roo’ chant around the MCG for many more years to come.”
with AAP
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