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.
Saad sidelined for six weeks
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.
Van Rooyen re-signs on long-term deal
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
Cinderella's Big Score
Roar Rookie
Yes, likewise. He is playing for Carlton VFL now, starred on the weekend. He is almost 28yo now, so that goes against him being picked up at AFL level again. He was a very good young player at Collingwood, averaged 25 possessions on a wing in 2018, the year they made the grand final. Had one bad year and then was traded as part of Collingwood's salary cap dump. For some reason he never hit his straps at Hawthorn. His kicking was never a strong point, so maybe that's why he fell from favour.
dargerovitch
Roar Rookie
Where's he playing now , Cindy? I thought he was at Essendon VFL but isn't on their list. My C'wood supporter mate was upset when the Pies dumped him and I was disappointed when my Hawks did the same. Seems like a good bloke too . Hope he gets another chance if he wants one.
Laurie
Roar Rookie
It's a hard knock life..
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
That was the point. You have simplified a complex equation that has an internal feedback loop
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I didn’t even do a crime but I’ve suffered life diminishing consequences because of that crime. I extinguished a 1,000 kittens and 500 puppies in a previous life. Perhaps l was Attila the Hun or Stalin
Gilberto
Roar Rookie
I'll try and simplify it for you. Brisbane by beating Melbourne have beaten a team in the 8. You see there are multiple (more then 1) games every round.
Laurie
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure that a one game suspension is comparable to serious crime or killing a bloke.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I will add; the classification system is silly. Anything taken from rugby is silly. Just judge each case on its merits. No MRO...rather, a MR Panel...and no tribunal.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
It’s in the Guidelines under the section “stupid stuff that undermines the whole point of the classification system”.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
I was there the night he ignored and the ball and made Shane Edward’s the target. A gutless act that would get him 6 weeks now. He got 2 Richmond won.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
Yet the Saints and Dogs aren’t in the 8 because they lost to Geelong That “metric” never makes sense to me. Especially at this stage of the season.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
To be honest I cant see how the Tribunal gets to apply its good behaviour discount to a player expressly pleading not guilty - and being found guilty. If he walked in and said I did it, but please fine me for good behaviour - I think that would sit better with me?
Gilberto
Roar Rookie
Cats havn't beaten anyone who is in the 8 or will make the 8.
IDeals22
Roar Rookie
& this little piggy went Wah Wah Wah all that way back to Voctoria :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
The picture of a full frontal C Cameron in the 24 Tribunal guidelines seems most apt now The principles are worth reading. This decision violates many of them. Discounts for early guilty pleas no longer apply to extensions etc etc They should give that good bloke discretion to Christian. He can grade it 1 and then downgrade it. Why should a WC. Decide who the good blokes are?
JamesH
Roar Guru
That's the bit I don't get. It was open to them to call it low impact (which it arguably was) and get the same result. Yet instead they go out on a limb and set a bizarre new 'good bloke discount' precedent - the very thing that the current system was designed to eradicate. Peter Wright had played 121 games before ever being reported and still got more than the minimum 3-week penalty for the grading of his incident, let alone a discount. Where do you draw the line here?
DTM
Roar Rookie
On one of the gaming apps, the Cats are 2.46. Excellent value for a team 5-0 against a 2-3 team. Not recommending you put your money on them (usually a kiss of death) but hard to see the reasoning other than a home game for the Lions.
Macca
Roar Rookie
A free arm on the wrong side on the contact, that was HELD BY ANOTHER OPPONENT as he was being slung to the ground reducing his ability to use it to brace.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I would have been disappointed had Charlie been rubbed out. It's going to be a ripping game against my boys. A good test with the Lions near full strength and in form.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Very funny also how Lever having the free lever on the wrong side of the dumping was somehow mitigating.