Every two-match suspension since the start of 2016
HOW does Bachar Houli’s suspension line up against other recent AFL tribunal decisions? Review hits by Toby Greene, Alex Rance and Jesse Hogan and more.
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DOES the time fit the crime?
The two-match ban handed down to Bachar Houli for striking Jed Lamb has been slammed as being too lenient after glowing character references were supplied to the AFL tribunal.
After outrage from the AFL community, including former tribunal member Daniel Harford who labelled it an “unacceptable outcome”, the AFL announced today it would appeal the decision.
Houli struck Lamb with a swinging arm in the clash at the MCG and knocked out the former Giant and Swan. Lamb did not return after being helped from the field by trainers.
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Since the start of 2016, nine players have copped two-match suspensions for incidents ranging from striking to crude bumps and sling tackles.
While Houli’s strike was assessed as intentional and high impact, players including Melbourne star Jesse Hogan have sat out for two weeks for less serious offences, according to the match review panel grading system.
Hogan’s strike on Carlton’s Sam Rowe, for example, was assessed as medium impact.
Harford believes Houli should have been facing at least a six-week suspension after being sent straight to the tribunal.
No player referred straight to the tribunal since the start of last year has escaped with anything less than a four-match ban.
In that time Port Adelaide’s Tom Jonas, Sun Steven May and Giant Jeremy Cameron have faced tribunal hearings, with Cameron (four matches) receiving the least severe penalty.
Jonas copped six matches for striking Eagle Andrew Gaff and May five matches for knocking out Lion Stefan Martin.
So, how does Houli knocking out Lamb measure up to other incidents that have drawn the same penalty?
We look at other two-match suspensions since the beginning of the 2016 season.
ROUND 6, 2017: TOBY GREENE for striking Caleb Daniel
All-Australian Greene was in big trouble for a swinging clenched fist that landed right on the face of the premiership Bulldog. Greene claimed he was trying to spoil Daniel as he marked but it was crude and late. Daniel was able to take his kick and played on.
The incident was classified as intentional with medium impact.
ROUND 4, 2017: JAMES PARSONS for striking Luke Hodge
Parsons miscalculated in the Easter Monday clash and collected Hodge with an errant elbow to the head. Hodge was able to get up but that didn’t save the young Cat.
The hit was assessed as intentional with medium impact.
ROUND 2, 2017: JESSE HOGAN for striking Sam Rowe
Hogan floored Rowe with a quick punch to the jaw in the fiery Melbourne v Carlton clash at the MCG.
The MRP graded it as intentional with medium impact to the head.
ROUND 23, 2016: DANIEL MERRETT for striking Shane Savage
In his final AFL game Lions veteran Merrett elbowed Savage in the head as the St Kilda defender tried to block him from running with Nick Riewoldt.
It was graded as intentional with medium impact.
ROUND 21, 2016: SIMON TUNBRIDGE rough conduct on Adam Kennedy
Eagles rookie Tunbridge found himself in strife for a dangerous sling tackle on Kennedy at Spotless Stadium. Tunbridge nearly swung Kennedy 360 degrees before slamming him into the ground with one arm pinned so he was unable to protect himself.
Kennedy was stretchered from the field after hitting his head on the ground.
The incident was assessed as careless with high impact.
ROUND 9, 2016: LIN JONG bumping/making forceful front-on contact Matt Buntine
Jong collected Buntine in the head and upper chest with his hip as the GWS defender moved to put his head over the ball.
It was assessed as careless with high impact.
ROUND 5, 2016: ALEX RANCE striking Jack Watts
Rance lost his cool in the final term of a fiery Anzac eve clash and elbowed Watts in the back of the head after the pair had contested a ball. Watts was already on the ground when Rance struck him. It was a crude and intentional act deemed out of character for the Tigers defender.
It was assessed as intentional with medium impact.
ROUND 1, 2016: STEELE SIDEBOTTOM rough conduct Dan Hannebery
Magpie Sidebottom was rubbed out for two matches after choosing to bump, rather than tackle Sydney’s Hannebery as the Swan was in pursuit and about to pick up a loose ball. Hannebery didn’t return to the field.
The incident was classified as careless with medium impact and the penalty affected by a bad record.
PRE-SEASON, 2016: NAKIA COCKATOO rough conduct Michael Johnson
The Geelong youngster copped two matches for a dangerous sling tackle during a pre-season game at Subiaco. Cockatoo lifted the Dockers defender off the ground and slung him to the ground. Johnson did not return to the field after being helped off by trainers.
The incident was assessed as careless and high impact. Cockatoo had no applicable good or bad record.
OTHER NOTABLE BANS AND INCIDENTS
ROUND 2, 2017: JORDAN LEWIS — three weeks for striking Patrick Cripps
Lewis copped a three-match ban, which was influenced by his poor record, for striking Cripps and fracturing his jaw. It was assessed as intentional with medium impact to the head.
ROUND 9, 2016: TOM JONAS — sent straight to tribunal for striking Andrew Gaff
Jonas was in strife for a crude elbow to the back of Gaff’s head. The Power defender said he was caught in two minds — spoiling and bracing for impact. The MRP sent him straight to the tribunal, where he was handed a six-match suspension.
It was graded as intentional conduct with severe impact to the head.
ROUND 19, 2016: ZAC DAWSON — three weeks for rough conduct on Jake Lloyd
A Jake Lloyd fumble landed Dawson in hot water as the Dockers defender arrived late and collected the Swan in the head with his shoulder. Lloyd did not return to the field as a result and Dawson’s penalty was impacted by his poor record.
The incident was graded as careless conduct with high impact to the head.
ROUND 4, 2016: STEVEN MAY — sent straight to tribunal for knocking out Stefan Martin
May’s brutal bump in the Q-Clash was slammed on the night and the MRP referred him straight to the tribunal after he left the ground and collected Martin in the head. Martin suffered concussion as a result of the brutal bump and did not return to the field after being stretchered off.
The incident was assessed as careless with severe impact to the head. May’s five-match suspension was impacted by a bad record.
PRE-SEASON 2016: JEREMY CAMERON — sent straight to tribunal for rough conduct on Rhys Mathieson
The GWS star bump the young midfielder in the head after the Lion had disposed of the ball. Cameron left the ground and fractured Mathieson’s cheekbone.
He was sent straight to the tribunal after the MRP graded the incident as careless conduct and severe impact, resulting in a four-match ban.
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