AFL Match Review Panel – Round 15, 2012 – Welling-Slam, Tale of two bumps

Regular readers/followers of the AFLSpace would know that this article normally comes out on a Monday morning to preview what the Match Review Panels findings may be from the weekends games. But a mixture of waking up way to early on a Sunday morning, the prospect of a busy start to the week and two juicy incidents to look at mean that I decided to take the time this morning to write up the story of the two big bumps from the weekend so far (if there are others I will add them tonight or tomorrow).

The first incident involved a Sharrod Wellingham charge on Kade Simpson of the Blues in Friday nights match. Simpson was going for the mark and Wellingham appears to relise that he is going to get to the contest late and takes his eyes off the ball and instead charges into Simpson. The sicking blow left Simpson in a bad way on the ground and forced him out of the game and Carlton have already reported that Simpsons jaw is broken. Here is the incidient:

Due to (from what I can find or not find in my research) Sharrod’s good record, he could possibly go for as little as 2 to 3 weeks depending on the categories that the Match Review Panel (MRP) put on the incidents. It will definitely be considered High Contact. Whether it is reckless or intentional is questionable. Perhaps the fact that he takes his eyes off the ball to look at the player will go against him. Also the question of if a broken jaw is high impact or Severe will be interesting. If it was determined as High impact and Reckless, that would see 7 activation points, level 4 offense, 425pts back to 319/3 weeks with an early plea. I don’t believe that Wellingham is in line for a further 25% for 5 year good record but if he is that would come back to 2 weeks. If one of those two categories was 1 shade worse (i.e. it was either considered intentional or severe impact) but not both, that would take it to level 5 offense, 550pts, 412 with an early plea and 4 weeks. If it was considered to be both severe impact and intentional, the MRP would have to send this straight to the tribunal. So Sharrod has a nervous wait ahead of him, especially when his coach already has admitted that he “will go”.

The other guy with a nervous wait for Monday afternoon, is Heath Hocking of the Bombers. Hocking laid a behind the play bump on Lenny Hayes of the Saints in their Saturday night match that forced Hayes off the field but appears no where as bad as the Wellingham bump but dues to Hocking’s bad record, it could leave him out for as long or longer! Here is the incident:

Hocking has missed 4 matches in the last few years form suspension and so cares a 40% loading on any base points that he gets. He also has 81pts left over from his last case. Also hurting him in this incident is the rule brought in at the start of the year that any behind the play incident is automatically classified as intentional. While some fans maybe questioning if the hit was high, I am not sure the MRP will so I am going to analyse this case assuming that it will be High contact and Intentional. What is the impact though and what effect does that have on the charge? If it isn’t considered to come to low impact, then there will be no case to answer, but the fact Hayes was forced from the field means it is unlikely to escape a penalty. I don’t think that it will be considered High Impact so lets look at what happens in the case of Low or Medium impact.

Low impact would mean 6 activation points and level 3. It would mean 325pts + 130 (because of his 40% loading) + 81 (carry over points). That would come to 536pts/5weeks. If he choose to accept this, he would get his 25% discount bringing it back to 402pts or4 weeks.

Medium impact would mean 7 activation points and Level 4. It would mean 425pts + 170pts + 81pts. That comes to 676pts and 6 weeks. If he cops the guilty plea, it would come down to 507 or 5 weeks.

So as you can see, both players are looking at serious time on the side lines. Hocking most likely the worst of it but mainly because of his bad record and virtual 1 match suspended sentence that he has over his head.

How many weeks do you think each guy will get?

Don’t forget to check back over the course of the start of the week as I keep you updated on all the tribunal/MRP news!

UPDATES

• Mon 11am: Have updated below with the match day reports. Wellingham we knew about. Kosi also listed but didn’t see that one. Cameron I saw and think there is a fair chance there wasn’t enough force to sustain that one.
• Mon 3:45pm: Full Match Review Panel details are in. Hocking luck to get 2. Wellingham did get the 5 year bonus and so will only miss 3. Jeremy Cameron a repremand, but if he accepts he can’t win the NAB rising star award. Quinten Lynch of the Eagles a week, James Bartel of the Cats 2 weeks, Luke Shuey 2 weeks, Matt White of the Tigers (for 2 incidents) 3 weeks. Did I miss any one? If so, details below.
• Mon 4pm: In what must be a world record performance, Wellingham has accepted his 3 week penalty!

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Charges Laid:

Jackson Paine, Collingwood, has been charged with a Level One tripping offence against Mitch Robinson, Carlton, during the second quarter of the Round 15 match between Collingwood and Carlton, played at the MCG on Friday July 6, 2012.

In summary, he can accept a reprimand and 60 points towards his future record with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Carlton Football Club, the incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point). This is a total of four activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level One offence, drawing 80 demerit points and a reprimand. He has no existing good or bad record. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 60 demerit points towards his future record.

Sharrod Wellingham, Collingwood, has been charged with a Level Five engaging in rough conduct offence against Kade Simpson, Carlton, during the third quarter of the Round 15 match between Collingwood and Carlton, played at the MCG on Friday July 6, 2012.

In summary, his five-match sanction can be reduced to four matches with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Carlton Football Club, the incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), severe impact (four points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of eight activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Five offence, drawing 550 demerit points and a five-match sanction. He has an existing five-year good record, which reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 412.50 points and a four-match sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 309.38 points and a three-match sanction.

Quinten Lynch, West Coast, has been charged with a Level Two tripping offence against Shaun Atley, North Melbourne, during the first quarter of the Round 15 match between West Coast and North Melbourne, played at Blundstone Arena on Saturday July 7, 2012.

In summary, due to his previous poor record, his one-match sanction must remain at one match, even with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the North Melbourne Football Club, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Two offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has an existing bad record of one match suspended within the last three years, increasing the penalty by 10 per cent to 137.50 demerit points and a one-match sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 103.13 points and a one-match sanction.

Luke Shuey, West Coast, has been charged with a Level Three striking offence against Lindsay Thomas, North Melbourne, during the first quarter of the Round 15 match between West Coast and North Melbourne, played at Blundstone Arena on Saturday July 7, 2012.

In summary, due to his previous poor record, his two-match sanction must remain at two matches, even with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the North Melbourne Football Club, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and groin contact (two points). This is a total of six activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Three offence, drawing 225 demerit points and a two-match sanction. He has an existing bad record of one match suspended within the last three years, increasing the penalty by 10 per cent to 247.50 demerit points and a two-match sanction. He also has 68.75 demerit points carried over from within the last 12 months, increasing the penalty to 316.25 points and a three-match sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 237.19 points and a two-match sanction.

James Frawley, Melbourne, has been charged with a Level Two striking offence against Robin Nahas, Richmond, during the third quarter of the Round 15 match between Melbourne and Richmond, played at the MCG on Saturday July 7, 2012.

In summary, he can accept a reprimand and 70.31 points towards his future record with an early plea, due to a five-year good record.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Richmond Football Club, the incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Two offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has an existing five-year good record, reducing the penalty by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 70.31 points towards his future record.

Matt White, Richmond, has been charged with a Level Two striking offence against Luke Tapscott, Melbourne, during the fourth quarter of the Round 15 match between Richmond and Melbourne, played at the MCG on Saturday July 7, 2012.

In summary, he can accept a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Melbourne Football Club, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Two offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has no existing good or bad record. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record.

Matt White, Richmond, has been charged with a Level Three bumping or making forceful contact from front-on offence against James Frawley, Melbourne, during the fourth quarter of the Round 15 match between Richmond and Melbourne, played at the MCG on Saturday July 7, 2012.

In summary, he can accept a three-match sanction with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Melbourne Football Club, the incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), medium impact (two points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of six activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Three offence, drawing 400 demerit points and a four-match sanction. He has no existing good or bad record. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent 300 demerit points and a three-match sanction.

Lynden Dunn, Melbourne, has been charged with a Level One striking offence against Luke McGuane, Richmond, during the fourth quarter of the Round 15 match between Melbourne and Richmond, played at the MCG on Saturday July 7, 2012.

In summary, due to his previous poor record, his one-match sanction must remain at one match, even with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Richmond Football Club, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Two offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has an existing bad record of two matches suspended within the last three years, increasing the penalty by 20 per cent to 150 demerit points and a one-match sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 112.50 points and a one-match sanction.

Heath Hocking, Essendon, has been charged with a Level Two engaging in rough conduct offence against Lenny Hayes, St Kilda, during the third quarter of the Round 15 match between Essendon and St Kilda, played at Etihad Stadium on Saturday July 7, 2012.

In summary, due to his previous poor record, his two-match sanction must remain at two matches, even with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the St Kilda Football Club, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Two offence, drawing 225 demerit points and a two-match sanction. He has an existing bad record of four matches suspended within the last three years, increasing the penalty by 40 per cent to 315 demerit points and a three-match sanction. He also has 81.25 demerit points carried over from within the last 12 months, increasing the penalty to 396.25 points and a three-match sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 297.19 points and a two-match sanction.

Jeremy Cameron, GWS Giants, has been charged with a Level Two striking offence against Clinton Young, Hawthorn, during the third quarter of the Round 15 match between the GWS Giants and Hawthorn, played at the MCG on Sunday July 8, 2012.

In summary, he can accept a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Hawthorn Football Club, the incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Two offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has no existing good or bad record. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record.

Jimmy Bartel, Geelong Cats, has been charged with a Level Four striking offence against Trent McKenzie, Gold Coast Suns, during the second quarter of the Round 15 match between the Geelong Cats and the Gold Coast Suns, played at Metricon Stadium on Sunday July 8, 2012.

summary, he can accept a two-game sanction with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Gold Coast Suns Football Club, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), medium impact (two points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of seven activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Four offence, drawing 325 demerit points and a three-match sanction. He has no existing good or bad record. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to 243.75 points and a two-match sanction.

Other incidents Assessed:

The match day report against St Kilda’s Justin Koschitzke for engaging in rough conduct against Essendon’s Courtenay Dempsey from the third quarter of Saturday’s match was assessed. Dempsey is on the ground and has possession of the ball. As he handballs the ball away, Koschitzke comes towards and makes contact. A free kick was paid at the time and, after speaking to the umpire, it was the view of the panel there was no signficant head/neck contact and the force used was below that required to constitute a reportable offence. No further action was taken.

Contact between Collingwood’s Steele Sidebottom and Carlton’s Brock McLean from the second quarter of Friday’s match was assessed. McLean has the ball and is tackled by Sidebottom and taken to the ground. As the Collingwood player takes his opponent to the ground, he did not drive McLean into the ground with excessive force. No further action was taken.

Following players were reported from the weekend’s matches: