Four NTFL clubs to be hit with fines following round 8 melees

Four NTFL clubs hit with fines after chaotic round of melees occurred in two round 8 games

UPDATE: WARATAH veteran Abe Ankers has escaped without a penalty after his striking case from an NTFL match was dismissed by an independent tribunal.

Ankers was initially charged with striking Tiwi’s Luke Oborn with his side of the conflict classified as intentional conduct with low impact and high contact.

The charge carried a two- week penalty which could be reduced to one with an early guilty plea.

However, Ankers and his club contested the charge, which was based on actions in the first quarter of Waratah’s 21.14 (140) to 6.6 (42) win over the Tiwi Bombers.

The independent tribunal did not view the incident as a strike or dangerous and subsequently the case was dismissed without Ankers incurring a penalty.

Abe Ankers escaped suspension. Picture: Felicity Elliott AFLNT/Media

Palmerston’s Murray Liddle faced dual charges for his actions in the second quarter against St Mary’s in round 8.

One charge was for striking Saints’ Lachlan Taylor deemed as intentional conduct with low impact and high contact.

He was also charged with striking Geordie McMurtie in the same quarter, with his actions deemed again to be intentional conduct with low impact and high contact.

The combined charges resulted in Liddle facing a four- match penalty reduced to three with an early guilty plea.

But, he contested, though the tribunal decided the incident should stay classed as it was and issued Liddle with a three-match penalty.

Josh Cheek of St Mary’s also faced charges for striking Kobe Annand in the second quarter with his actions seen as intentional conduct with low impact and high contact.

He contested but again the tribunal agreed with the original classification and issuing Cheek with a one- match penalty.

These were the latest charges in a drama-filled round 8 which saw Tiwi and Waratah fined $225, while St Mary’s and Palmerston were fined $475, all for melees.

Tiwi’s Oborn accepted a two-match penalty for striking and Waratah’s Amyas Ross accepted a one-match penalty for rough conduct.

EARLIER: Tiwi, Waratah, St Mary’s and Palmerston are facing fines following multiple melees throughout round 8 of the NTFL.

Waratah won 21.14 (140) to 6.6 (42) over the Tiwi Bombers but that stop the encounter from turning fiery with both sides exchanging heavy tackles throughout.

Luke Oborn of the Bombers and Abe Ankers of Tahs were both charged following a scuffle early on in the first quarter.

Oborn was charged with striking with the incident classified as intentional conduct with medium impact and high contact resulting in a three match penalty.

He can accept a two match penalty with an early guilty plea.

Ankers was charged with striking in the same bust up with his side of the conflict classified as intentional conduct with low impact and high contact.

His charge carries a two week penalty which can be reduced to one with an early guilty plea.

Amyas Ross, also of Waratah, was also charged in the round 8 game with rough conduct against Oborn in the first quarter.

A scuffle between Palmerston Magpies and St Mary's in round 8. Picture: Julianne Osborne

The incident was classified as intentional conduct with low impact and high contact resulting in a two match penalty, reduced to one with an early plea.

Both Tiwi and Waratah clubs were also charged with engaging in a melee with both sides able to accept a fine of $225 with an early guilty plea.

The St Mary’s and Palmerston game was another fiery contest which the Green Machine eventually triumphed 18.9 (117) to 10.10 (70) over the Magpies.

Murray Liddle of Palmerston faces two charges. One for striking Saints’ Lachlan Taylor in the second quarter which was deemed intentional conduct with low impact and high contact.

He was also charged with striking Geordie McMurtie in the same quarter with his actions deemed again to be intentional conduct with low impact and high contact.

The combined charges result in Liddle facing a four match penalty reduced to three with an early guilty plea.

Josh Cheek of St Mary’s also faces charges for striking Kobe Annand in the second quarter with his actions seen as intentional conduct with low impact and high contact.

Palmerston and St Mary’s were also charged with engaging in a melee in the second quarter with both sides able to accept a fine of $475 with an early guilty plea.