AFL Tribunal news: Bodhi Uwland has one-match ban overturned, Nat Fyfe’s suspension stands

Gold Coast’s Bodhi Uwland and Fremantle’s Nat Fyfe both fronted the tribunal on Tuesday night. SIMEON THOMAS-WILSON has the details on how they went.

Fremantle star Nat Fyfe has failed to overturn his one-match ban for striking West Coast’s Jai Culley.

The two-time Brownlow Medallist was cited for an off-the-ball strike in a heated Derby between the Dockers and the Eagles on Saturday.

Seamus Rafferty, representing Fyfe, said it wasn’t a strike but more of a push by the Dockers star and the footage couldn’t truly show how Culley received contact to his head.

“Player Fyfe’s arm, never goes above his own chest height towards a person who is almost the exact same height,” he said.

“This was two players engaging in legitimate football actions.

“Something, somehow, somewhere makes contact, we can’t tell from the footage.”

Raffety said it was “a push in response to a push” and provided “11 factual fact matters” to the Tribunal.

Nat Fyfe will miss this week’s match against Essendon. Picture: Getty Images

They were; Fyfe was moving away from Culley, Culley was running towards Fyfe, Culley lifted his arms to push Fyfe, Fyfe responded by extending both arms, both players are of a similar height, Fyfe’s arms never got above his chest, his right hand initially made contact with Culley’s left arm, Culley’s height was reduced by his own momentum, there was some contact but it was not known with what, Fyfe’s open hand moved across Culley’s right shoulder and at no stage did Fyfe’s arm get above his own chest.

Counsel for the AFL, Andrew Woods said the intention from Fyfe was clear.

“You look at the vision and it is what anyone would understand to be a strike,” he said.

“You see that immediate reaction of Culley’s head.”

Tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson said they were satisfied that Fyfe intentionally struck Culley.

He said this was because of the vision at normal speed, there was no evidence from Fyfe that “he did not intend to do what the normal speed vision appears to show he did intend to do”, his right arm was thrown towards Culley with considerable force, his body turned to the right in a manner consistent with an intent to strike and that a strike can occur with an open hand.

Gleeson said if the Tribunal was wrong about the intention of Fyfe – who did not give any evidence – the guidelines still indicated that the action would be graded as intentional.

“Accordingly, taking this guideline into account, we find that this should be graded as intentional,” he said.

Fyfe will miss the Dockers’ clash against Essendon.

UWLAND FREE TO PLAY

Gold Coast youngster Bodhi Uwland has had his one-match ban for rough conduct against Brisbane star Lachie Neale overturned at the Tribunal.

The Suns youngster was hit with a one-match ban after he drove Neale into the ground with a physical tackle after the Brisbane star had disposed of the ball.

Representing Uwland, Adrian Anderson said the tackle shouldn’t have been classed as rough conduct because it wasn’t likely to cause injury, it wasn’t unreasonable in the circumstances and if he was guilty it should be graded low rather than medium.

Bodhi Uwland is free to play. Picture: Getty Images

Andrew Woods, representing the AFL, said Uwland used his force to ensure Neale landed on his back, rather than his side.

“You use quite significant force to bring Neale down on his back,” he said.

“This was a conscious decision of yours to tackle that way.”

Uwland rejected the assertion.

“I was trying to pull him towards me and he has withstood that force and then is pulling me back towards me because he is a bit stronger than me to be honest,” he said.

“I tried to put him on his side but I think his leg being the last to go on the ground forced him directly backwards.”

Despite Anderson failing in his bid for umpire Chris Donlon to give evidence, he was able to argue that it was rough conduct.

Uwland has had a strong season with the Suns in 2024. Picture: Getty Images

“Yes the head does make contact with the ground but that is not a tackle where you say yes it is likely to cause injury,” Anderson said.

Tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson said it was not clear how Neale ended up landing on his back, but they were satisfied Uwland was not guilty of rough conduct.

“Uwland initially attempted to rotate Neale to the right and was not able to do so. Momentum shifted between the players and Neale landed on his back,” he said.

“It’s not entirely clear what caused the change in momentum resulting in Neale landing on his back. We are not clearly satisfied that Uwland pushed or drove Neale into the ground.”

Nathan Fyfe is next up, also challenging a one-game ban.

Originally published as AFL Tribunal news: Bodhi Uwland has one-match ban overturned, Nat Fyfe’s suspension stands