SEFNL: Cranbourne full-forward Marc Holt cleared to play after ban overturned

CRANBOURNE full-forward Marc Holt says he’s fired up for the rest of the season after having a six-week ban overturned on appeal last night.

Cranbourne full-forward Marc Holt is free to play against Officer on Saturday when he is expected to reach the magical 1000-goal milestone. Picture: Valeriu Campan

CRANBOURNE full-forward Marc Holt says he’s fired up for the rest of the season after having a six-week ban overturned on appeal last night.

Holt, on 999 goals, is free to play against Officer on Saturday when he is expected to reach the magical 1000-goal milestone.

In an eventful 24 hours, Holt’s season was effectively ended at the AFL South East tribunal on Tuesday night when he was suspended for two separate incidents, careless striking and kicking, in the Eagles’ 38-point loss to Berwick on June 30.

Oh, so close...Cranbourne full-forward Marc Holt slots seven goals to move to 999

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

But Cranbourne lodged an appeal on Wednesday morning and AFL Victoria re-heard the case, clearing Holt of all charges.

Marc Holt is on 999 goals.

Holt was relieved and thrilled after the appeal hearing in Carlton.

“It all makes sense now,’’ Holt said.

“I think the result was what it should have been.’’

Holt said he’s more determined than ever to help Cranbourne win the flag this season.

“Yeah, definitely. A lot of people didn’t want me to play,’’ he said.

“But in our group we want to win that flag, f… ‘em.’’

Cranbourne FNC president Gerry Kelly said the club presented an “expanded view of the footage’’ of the incident in the appeal hearing.

“The footage didn’t look good in normal time but once you blew it up you can see what actually happened - and nothing happened,’’ Kelly said.

Holt and friends celebrated by enjoying a celebratory drink in the car on the way home from the hearing.