Cranbourne full-forward Marc Holt handed six-week suspension at tribunal

A LOCAL footballer sitting on 999 career goals will have to wait until next season to reach four figures, after copping a six-week ban which has ended his season.

Football SEFNL: Cranbourne v Tooradin-Dalmore. Cranbourne full-forward Marc Holt (the big man) needs 8 goals to reach 1000 career goals. He made it 999. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A LOCAL footballer sitting on 999 career goals will have to wait until next season to reach four figures, after copping a six-week ban which has ended his season.

Cranbourne Football Club full-forward Marc Holt says he will appeal the six-week suspension handed down at the AFL South East tribunal last night.

Holt, who was represented by renowned AFL player advocate Iain Findlay in the hour-long hearing at Casey Fields, was suspended for two separate incidents, careless striking and kicking, in the Eagles’ 38-point loss to Berwick on June 30.

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He received two weeks for striking and four weeks for kicking.

The sanctions effectively end Holt’s season and are a blow to Cranbourne’s premiership quest.

Holt was charged by the SEFNL following an investigation, with the league acting on video of the incidents.

Holt only stated he would appeal when the Leader this morning asked for his reaction to the penalties.

Marc Holt leaves the field two weeks ago after falling one goal short of reaching 1000. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Cranbourne president Gerry Kelly labelled the suspensions “very unfair” and confirmed the club would be appealing.

“It’s very unfair to us because Marc didn’t strike anyone and he certainly didn’t kick anyone. Marc was the one who got belted in that melee … it’s just so unfair,” Kelly said.

Cranbourne has until Thursday 12 noon to appeal. It will cost the club $3000 and the appeal process is handled by AFL Victoria.

Marc Holt celebrates a goal against Tooradin-Dalmore. Picture: Valeriu Campan.

Holt kicked seven goals against Tooradin-Dalmore last week to move within one of 1000 career goals for Cranbourne.

He was left to rue several missed shots in the last quarter.

Cranbourne coach Steve O’Brien was shocked by the tribunal outcome.

“Mate, we are absolutely devastated, shocked and devastated,” O’Brien said this morning.

“Obviously we will appeal it because there is no way we can accept that penalty, it makes no sense whatsoever.”

Marc Holt has been left “shocked and shattered” by a six-week ban. Picture: Valeriu Campan.

O’Brien spoke to Holt after the hearing and said he was “shocked and shattered”.

“Look, he’s pretty down in the dumps, obviously,” he said,

“There is so much going on for him at the moment, to be hit with that, you know, he was shocked and shattered.”

O’Brien said Holt was running into top form and looking forward to finals.

“A bloke with his ability, no side would say they could do without him,” O’Brien said.

“We have done it before without him but we are obviously a lot better side when we’ve got the big fella up front for us.”

Cranbourne (9-3) is in third spot on the SEFNL ladder with four games to go until finals.