Ruckman Craig Perry breaches 16-match suspension limit as he fights to stay in game

WOODVILLE-West Torrens ruckman Craig Parry will fight for his football life at a hearing today after breaching the 16-game suspension limit.

WOODVILLE-West Torrens ruckman Craig Parry will fight for his football life at a hearing today after breaching the 16-game suspension limit.

Parry faces a lifetime ban from the game after breaching the 16-game suspension limit under the national deregistration code adopted by the SANFL in 2012.

He reached the tally after accepting a two-game suspension for striking North Adelaide’s Matthew Campbell on the weekend.

While exemptions are only to be granted in “exceptional circumstances” there are precedents.

Former Brisbane defender Darryl White and St Kilda hardman Steven Baker had life bans overturned after breaching the suspension limit during their post-AFL playing careers.

White reached 16 games last year after copping a one week suspension for high contact while playing for Darwin in the NTFL.

When granting re-registration the NTFL noted the high regard White was held in football circles, his embarrassment and remorse at what had happened and his commitment to a range of conciliatory measures including helping to recruit umpires and mentor junior players.

Baker was suspended for a total of 28 weeks during 13 seasons with St Kilda but for players coming out of the AFL system, their number of weeks is halved.

He breached the limit after receiving a six-week suspension for rough play in a pre-season game for Sorrento in Victoria this year.

But the Victorian Country Football League overturned the ban on appeal.

Parry yesterday referred an interview request to Eagles football manager Trent Hentschel.

In a meeting with the club’s lawyer yesterday afternoon, Hentschel was advised to make no comment.