AFL Queensland appeal tribunal’s decision to find Palm Beach Currumbin mid Jason Burge not guilty of rough conduct

The lead-in to the QAFL grand final is on the verge of becoming a circus for the second time in three years and Palm Beach Currumbin midfielder Jason Burge is at the centre of it.

THE lead-in to the QAFL grand final is on the verge of becoming a circus for the second time in three years and Palm Beach Currumbin midfielder Jason Burge is at the centre of it.

Burge’s grand final hopes hang in the balance following a dramatic week that has seen him successfully have a three-game suspension for rough conduct thrown out only for the AFLQ to announce they are appealing the decision.

AFL Queensland officials have declared they will appeal the tribunal’s decision to find Burge not guilty of rough conduct and expect to have their submission heard as early as Monday, the week of the grand final.

“Under the State and Territory guidelines AFL Queensland have exercised its right to appeal the decision of the tribunal,” AFLQ’s Barry Gibson said.

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“We have notified Palm Beach and they are aware of the process.

“We are appealing on the grounds that we believe the player welfare needs to be a priority and we are of the view the tribunal erred in their decision.

“Preventing concussion is a priority for our game. As such, as the controlling body for Australian Rules Football in Queensland, AFL Queensland believes it is incumbent on us to ensure that the panel that presided in last night’s matter have considered all the relevant circumstances and associated guidelines in making their decision to dismiss the charge against Jason Burge.”

Burge fronted the AFLQ tribunal on Wednesday night at their Yeronga base alongside lawyer Adrian Anderson and despite being prepared for a marathon hearing over multiple hours, he was given the green light to play in 45 minutes.

Palm Beach-Currumbin's Jason Burge in action in the QAFL match between Labrador and Palm Beach-Currumbin on Saturday at Cooke Murphy Oval. Picture: Jerad Williams

The ball-winner was initially slapped with a three-game suspension after being charged with rough conduct for a hit on Surfers Paradise ruckman Sam Jewell in the opening seconds of their 22-point semi-final win over the Demons at Salk Oval on Saturday.

Jewell left the field and didn’t return after suffering concussion symptoms from the incident.

The match review panel assessed Burge’s conduct to be careless with high contact and high impact.

Palm Beach Currumbin successfully argued Jewell had been pushed by Lions ruckman Jonathan Croad just before gathering possession of the ball, sending him off balance and into Burge, who held his ground, at high speed.

Palm Beach Currumbin midfielder Jason Burge has successfully had his three-game suspension for this hit on Surfers Paradise ruckman Sam Jewell thrown out. Picture: Taken from AFLQ live stream.

It was a massive win for Palm Beach Currumbin given Burge’s importance to the side. He led the Syd Guildford Medal coach’s votes before hurting his foot midway through the season.

It’s the second major tribunal case Palm Beach Currumbin has been involved in ahead of a grand final in three years, with Anderson also the representing party for the Lions at the last one.

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Jesse Derrick was given a three-match suspension, reduced to two if he pleaded guilty, for a sling tackle on Broadbeach’s Robert Blood during their qualifying final in 2017.

PBC appealed that on the grounds of Derrick’s immaculate record and the penalty was reduced to one match.

Broadbeach then appealed that ruling, claiming it was “manifestly inadequate” because of the seriousness of Blood’s injuries and an independent panel reinstated the three-match suspension.

PBC then threatened Supreme Court action which led to AFL Queensland reverting the penalty back to one week.

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