|
West Coast’s gamble in contesting the two-match suspension offered to tagger Tyson Stenglein has partly paid off with the Eagle suspended for just one game by the AFL Tribunal after being found guilty of rough conduct on Port Adelaide’s Ben Eckermann. Stenglein’s advocate, David Grace QC,world cup soccer shirts, successfully argued that the impact between the two players be defined as ‘high’ rather than ‘severe’. The tribunal’s jury – comprising of former players Stewart Loewe,as roma official, Barry Stoneham and Richard Loveridge – agreed and used its discretion to find Stenglein guilty and allocate him 182.81 demerit points, or a one-match suspension. After a two-hour hearing, the West Coast entourage did not comment on the outcome. At Subiaco last Sunday, Eckermann was taken off the field on a stretcher with concussion following his clash with Stenglein with the Eagle tagger’s bump – which caught Eckermann in the face – ruled so serious by the AFL’s match review panel that it was graded a level four offence. The panel had assessed the incident as negligent conduct (one point), in play (one point) and high contact (two points) but also severe impact (four points) which pushed the charge up to eight activation points or a level four offence (425 demerit points). But under changes to the tribunal process, the tribunal has the discretion to vary the sanction the player will receive. In his defence of Stenglein’s bump on Eckermann, Grace argued that ‘unintentional’ contact was made once the Port youngster had fumbled the ball and Stenglein braced himself for ‘unavoidable’ contact. “This was a legitimate shoulder bump,” Grace said, arguing that Eckermann’s injuries were an ‘unfortunate consequence’ of the differences in height and weight between the two players. Stenglein, who had never been suspended throughout his entire football career, said his original intention was to tackle Eckermann, but he had to change his approach once his opponent had fumbled the ball. “He fumbled the ball, and I turned my body (side-on), kept my elbow in and feet on the ground,” the Eagle told the tribunal. “A collision was inevitable.” The AFL’s legal counsel,olympique lyon store, Will Houghton QC,t shirts embroidered, argued that Stenglein had raised his arm before the collision and contact was made by the Eagle’s forearm on Eckermann’s face. But Stenglein said Eckermann was moving at a “moderate to fast” pace towards him. “He came in to me. He had all the pace up �� I would have been open to the same scenario.” Stenglein had been offered a two-match suspension by the match review panel because he has not been found guilty of any offence over the past five years. This meant he received a 25 percent points discount on the original charge of 425 points which dropped the charge to 318.75 points, and had he accepted the charge and pleaded guilty he would have received another discount, resulting in only 239 points and a two-game ban. However,club america accessories, the AFL tribunal jury found him guilty but decided his offence was only worthy of 182.81 demerit points. Stenglein will miss West Coast’s clash against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday. |