Marlion Pickett, Steven Motlop cop bans after Round 16 of the 2024-25 NTFL season

A pair of former AFL stars have copped bans that may mean one misses finals while two NTFL clubs were fined for a melee. Find out what happened in the Round 16 tribunal.

Two former AFL stars have been handed bans while two clubs have been forced to cough up some cash for a fine after an impactful Round 16 of the NTFL.

Richmond premiership player Marlion Pickett could miss the first two weeks of finals for the Bombers after being charged with head-butting an opponent and kicking another person.

The Tiwi Bombers player was found to have committed the two indiscretions during the match against Southern Districts against another former AFL player Steven Motlop.

Incidentally, Motlop will also spend some time on the sidelines ahead of finals after being found make unreasonable or unnecessary contact with the face of Tiwi’s Scott Bedford.

The incident took place before three quarter time and was deemed intentional conduct with low impact and high contact.

Motlop was given a two week suspension, which he could have had downgraded to just one with an early guilty plea, meaning he would miss this week’s match against Wanderers.

Meanwhile, Pickett was given a four week ban, which he can have reduced to just three with an early guilty plea.

The Bombers have a Round 18 bye, which means Pickett will miss both the match against PINT and the first two weeks of finals depending on how his side progresses.

Elsewhere, both St Mary’s and PINT have been fined for engaging in a melee during their match at TIO Stadium.

The incident took place during the fourth quarter of the match that St Mary’s ended up winning.

Both clubs were fined $375, but could have had it reduced to $273 with an early guilty plea.

Originally published as Marlion Pickett, Steven Motlop cop bans after Round 16 of the 2024-25 NTFL season