AFL Finals: St Kilda’s Ben Long loses appeal to overturn one-match ban for rough conduct

Like his name, the Ben Long appeal to have his one-match ban for rough conduct overturned in a bid to play against Richmond dragged for more than two hours but to no avail for the suspended Saint.

Does Ben Long have anything to worry about for this bump?

St Kilda’s Ben Long has failed in his bid to have his one-match ban for rough conduct overturned in the AFL Appeals Board hearing ahead of Friday night’s cut-throat semi-final against Richmond at Metricon Stadium.

In a two-hour long hearing, the appeals board deliberated for more than 30 minutes before finding the appeal should be dismissed, ruling him out against the Tigers.

Long was suspended for one match at the AFL Tribunal on Monday night for engaging in rough conduct against Jack Macrae in the Saints’ elimination final win over the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba on Saturday.

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Vowing to “leave no stone unturned” in trying to prove Long’s innocence, St Kilda appealed the sanction on the grounds “an error of law has occurred” and the “classification of the offence by the Tribunal was manifestly excessive”.

But the AFL Appeals Board chairman Murray Kellman QC said the panel’s decision did not support either of St Kilda’s arguments.

“Given the degree of force, the degree of head impact, the momentum of player Long, all of which the jury were entitled to find was clearly established by the video, we consider that no error of law has been identified in the findings of the jury,” Kellman said.

“The jury had to give consideration as to the appropriate level (of impact) and in our view the findings of medium impact was squarely within the range of findings open to the jury.

“Accordingly we consider that the appeal should be dismissed.”

The Saints did not immediately offer a comment after the decision was handed down.

It was another huge blow for the Saints, who have already lost two key personnel for the showdown against the Tigers.

Long will miss the Richmond game after his appeal against his suspension was dismissed.

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The appeal board decision means the Saints will be forced to make three changes for the clash against the Tigers.

Jake Carlisle has left the Saints hub to join his wife for the birth of their third child, while ruckman Paddy Ryder suffered a heartbreaking hamstring injury late in the match against the Bulldogs.

It was Long’s second suspension of the season.

It is Long’s second suspension of the season, having earlier this year served a three-match ban for a bump on Fremantle’s Sean Darcy.

The Saints, represented by Jack Rush QC, argued there had been an “overfocus” on the potential for injury rather than on the medical evidence that there was “no injury”.

“The jury said it was surprised that player Macrae got up as readily as he did,” Rush said.

“Why are they surprised if it had taken into account the medical evidence that there was no injury, we consider this an error in law,” Rush said.

Rush also argued the classification of the contact as”medium” was excessive, describing it as more of a “glancing blow” and the momentum of both players needed to be taken into consideration.

But AFL representative Jeff Gleeson QC said the jury had been entitled to ask about the potential for injury and could this have been worse?”

Saints chief operating officer Simon Lethlean said the club was disappointed Long would not be available for Friday’s semi-final.

“We’re obviously disappointed with the decision and think we argued a strong case, based on the force of the contact and the resulting impact on the opposition player who played out the entire match,” Lethlean said.

“We feel for Ben knowing what it means for any player to miss a final and felt it was important to take every opportunity to contest the suspension and provide him with an opportunity to play.

“It is now up to someone to come in and step up in Ben’s place. We are confident we have the strength in our squad to do exactly that.”

RATTS GOES INTO BAT FOR SUSPENDED SAINT

St Kilda coach Brett Ratten has made a passionate defence of Ben Long, saying he never intended to hurt Jack Macrae with the high bump that has ruled him out of Friday night’s semi-final against Richmond as the Saints seek to have his one-match ban overturned at the AFL Appeals Board.

The Saints confirmed on Tuesday morning they would “leave no stone unturned” in trying to prove Long’s innocence at the hearing on Wednesday.

Ratten said Long was shattered by the ban – his second suspension this season – arguing the club owed it to the defender to vigorously defend him.

“Did the player (Macrae) stay down for a long time? Did he get concussed? Did he go off the ground? … No, he didn’t, he played out the game,” Ratten told SEN.

Brett Ratten celebrates St Kilda’s elimination final win over the Western Bulldogs with players Dan Butler and Dougal Howard. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“Ben’s intention was not to hit Jack Macrae; his intention was to impact the contest at the centre bounce and help our inside structure … his intention wasn’t to go in there and blaze away.

“He is pretty disappointed, but we can’t change that. We will look to see what we can do about it.”

Ratten said most clubs had half-backs who came into the contests, saying the move was as much about team structure as anything else.

“That’s just a part of the game … the half-back comes in,” he said.

“I reckon half the teams in the competition have a running half-back (do similar things).

“That’s what teams do. I really feel for Ben.”

Lethlean said Long was “distressed” to miss a final.

If the Saints don’t win the appeal they will be forced to make at least three changes to the team that beat the Bulldogs last weekend.

Jack Macrae continued to play after his collision with Ben Long. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Jake Carlisle has left the hub for the birth of his third child and Paddy Ryder will have surgery on a serious hamstring tear in Melbourne on Thursday.

“All I’ll say is we’ll do everything we can to give Ben the best chance of playing. He deserves to be given that right and we’ll try our hardest and leave no stone unturned in having a crack,” Lethlean said on SEN.

“He (Long) is really upset. He puts everything into the game, he’s a strong presence on the ground for us.

“He’s really distressed but he’ll train like he’s going to be able to play Friday, until he can’t.”

Ratten said Josh Battle is likely to recover from foot soreness in time to return for the Saints against the Tigers, while saying Dylan Roberton and Jon Marsh are also in the mix to return for the cut-throat semi-final.

SAINTS TO APPEAL LONG BAN

St Kilda has confirmed it will appeal Ben Long’s one-match suspension in a bid to clear him for Friday night’s cut-throat semi-final against Richmond.

The Saints confirmed they would appeal the verdict at a Wednesday night hearing after the tribunal on Monday night upheld a one-match ban for his high bump on Bulldog Jack Macrae in their first-term collision Saturday.

It was another heavy blow for the club which is already without key talls Paddy Ryder and Jake Carlisle for the showdown against the reigning premier at Metricon Stadium.

We're officially appealing the one-week suspension handed to Ben Long.

The hearing will be held on Wednesday night. pic.twitter.com/okIjEjSPVv

— St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) October 6, 2020

St Kilda board member Jack Rush, QC, failed to downgrade Long’s rough conduct charge from medium to low impact on the basis it was more of a glancing blow than forceful contact.

But Saints’ chief operating officer Simon Lethlean said the club would take the case further.

Ben Long was suspended for one match at the AFL tribunal on Monday night.

“We are disappointed for Ben and will strongly assess our options for appeal,” Lethlean said.

It is the second time this season Long has been suspended for rough conduct after serving a three-match suspension for his high bump on Fremantle big man Sean Darcy.

The second suspension will fuel calls Long should curb his aggression at the contest, even though the dashing playmaker is lauded internally at the club for his hardness.

Rush said the fact that Macrae did not suffer an injury and the absence of a free kick or any remonstration after the collision supported the club’s position.

But the tribunal panel dismissed the Saints’ attempts to downgrade the force from medium to low, and instead upheld Long’s one-match ban.

Long would have helped curtail the massive threat Richmond poses at ground level in the forward half on Friday night with its band of premiership small forwards.

The Saints are set to appeal Ben Long’s one-match suspension. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

But AFL counsel Jeff Gleeson successfully argued Long came off the line at speed and picked up momentum as he hit Macrae, forcing the Bulldog to spin 360 degrees upon contact.

“He came in off the line, he gathered speed, and the force at which he hit Macrae was considerable,” Gleeson said.

“I’m surprised this doesn’t cause him injury or more significant distress.”

Tribunal chairman David Jones said the panel was satisfied the impact was medium.

“Player Long came to the incident with momentum,” Jones said.

“Player Macrae’s head snaps back on contact which indicates clearly more than glancing contact.

“The jury is surprised (that) player Macrae in the circumstances got up as readily as he did.”

‘Devastated’ Saint heads home

St Kilda defender Jake Carlisle says he is “devastated” to miss Friday night’s semi-final blockbuster with Richmond after leaving the Saints’ hub.

Carlisle departed the club’s Noosa base on Monday to return to Melbourne to be at the birth of his third child.

He will not play again this season.

“I’m devastated to leave the guys, but it’s going to be a great opportunity for other guys to step up,” Carlisle told the club’s website.

“To be successful you need more than 22 players.

“It doesn’t matter if you have your best 22 or your best 30 out there, as long as you’re representing the club.

“I’m confident they can go and win, but I’ve got to go home and make the tough decisions.

“We do everything for family, and I think part of the emotions (on Saturday night) was knowing it was my last game for this year.

“It’s going to be emotional seeing them (the family), but I’ve been bloody rapt with what I’ve been able to do.”

Jake Carlisle has returned to Melbourne for the birth of his child.

Saints chief operating officer Simon Lethlean said the club was fully supportive of Carlisle’s decision.

“We thank Jake for staying as long as he possibly could before heading to NSW to be with Mel for the birth,” Lethlean said.

“He has been away from his young family for a number of months now and we thank him for making that sacrifice. We support him in this decision and wish Jake, Mel, Nash and Layker all the best for the coming weeks.

“We gathered the players on Sunday night to thank both Jake and Paddy who will return to Melbourne for assessment on his hamstring.

“Both guys have had a big influence on our year and we wanted them to know how appreciative we are of their efforts.”

It is a triple blow for the Saints, who will already be without Paddy Ryder (hamstring) and Ben Long, whose was suspended for one match on Monday night.

Although, the Saints are expected to appeal.

Josh Battle (foot) is certain to return in Friday night’s semi-final if declared fit and would probably be used in the backline as the Saints prepare for a mini reshuffle without Carlisle.

It is expected that fullback Dougal Howard will play on Tom Lynch and perhaps Nick Coffield and Battle share duties on Jack Riewoldt.

Josh Battle is certain to return for the Saints on Friday night. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Journeyman Jon Marsh is in line for selection, adding another burst of power to the Saints’ dynamic forward line.

Dylan Roberton’s hopes of a fairytale comeback to play on Riewoldt could hinge on Battle’s fitness.

Roberton, 29, has not played since Round 1, but could take to the field for a semi-final with a defibrillator installed inside his chest and with a wire connected to his heart.

St Kilda stalwart and Fox Footy analyst Leigh Montagna told the Herald Sun Carlisle’s potential absence would cause serious match-up recalibrating.

“If Carlisle goes home it’s a big dilemma. Cal Wilkie hasn’t been outmarked in a one-on-one contest all year, so he’s a great match-up for Dusty,” Montagna said.

“It’s a flow-on effect from there without Carlisle. Whoever you choose to send Wilkie to, a young defender like Ben Paton or Coffield has to step up and play on a big name. So that’s the dilemma.

“They have (emergency) Dylan Roberton and Logan Austin as two other talls in the system or potentially even Jarryn Geary could go back into the backline and take someone.”

Lynch has overcome his first hamstring injury and will train fully this week, compounding the loss of Carlisle.

RYDER LEADS SAINTS TO EMOTIONAL WIN

St Kilda assistant coach Brendan Lade sent the text message that ultimately brought tap ruckman Ryder over from Port Adelaide.

The Saints knew Rowan Marshall was on track for stardom, but they wanted to bring in Ryder as a bodyguard until he was ready to go with Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy alone.

Perhaps Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge should’ve sent Ryder that message.

Not even COVID-infected US president Donald Trump needs protection as badly as Tim English did in Saturday’s elimination final meltdown.

By halfway through the second quarter, and with English getting pushed off the ball too easily, Carlton great Mark McClure had seen enough.

“He’s becoming embarrassing. He can hardly get his hands on the ball,” McClure said on ABC.

“I don’t want to be too hard on him but he has to compete.”

The Saints monsters went from scary to unstoppable in the game-breaking third quarter, just as they were back in Round 2.

Brett Ratten and Paddy Ryder share a moment after the match. Picture: Getty Images

Marshall clunked a contested grab on the wing, wheeled around and put it to the top of the square, where Ryder out-marked English.

Ryder’s second goal pushed the Saints 19 points clear.

Moments later and a Bulldog thrust saw English and Ryder once again isolated.

At the other end it was the exact same result as Ryder marked, the Saints went coast-to-coast and Dan Butler goaled.

Beveridge said Tim English was “still a few years off his absolute best” although he praised the young ruckman for fronting up each week and taking steps forwards in 2020.

Essendon great Matthew Lloyd thinks it could be years until English is ready.

Aerially it was one-way, with St Kilda taking a season-best 21 contested marks.

Captain Marcus Bontempelli ranks No. 2 in the AFL for centre clearances, but failed to win one on Saturday as he tried to shark Ryder’s hits.

With a young list that is otherwise in premiership mode, it might be time for the Bulldogs to hit the phones.

Beveridge said with list sizes shrinking, adding another ruckman was an “interesting conundrum” for clubs.

Beveridge was hesitant at taking on a rival’s back-up who wanted to change clubs to be the No. 1 man because he wasn’t convinced at that attitude.

He pointed out the Dogs were No. 2 in the AFL for scores from centre bounce, behind Nic Naitanui’s West Coast, in a sign the Dogs’ shark plan can work.

Ideally, Beveridge would love the AFL to bring back the third man-up rule.

Suddenly, they are still searching for their first finals win since the 2016 Grand Final.

Jack Lonie celebrates a goal for the Saints. Picture: Getty Images

DIFFERENT GAMES

These teams tested themselves out like two prize boxers in the first half, the Doggies enjoying the close-in clinches, and the Saints looking to turn and heel.

The Bulldogs recorded 24 out of the first 30 tackles, including five inside 50m to none.

For the Saints, speed thrills and they looked to run and gun and run.

They moved forward at such a rapid rate that there was social distancing that Dan Andrews would’ve appreciated.

In the end the Bulldogs had 16 more inside 50s and two more scoring shots and yet their season is over.

After Round 2 Ratten and Beveridge summed up St Kilda’s 39-point victory the same way.

Both said the Saints got more “bang for buck” going forward, and it was the same story again.

In the frenetic final minute there were game-saving marks to Tim Membrey and Marshall, and an untidy free kick against Bruce.

Before that it was a Bulldogs wave that threatened to dump St Kilda from the Sunshine State.

They trailed by 26 points before an Aaron Naughton contested mark and goal started a run from the clouds.

Caleb Daniel’s goal from a free kick cut the margin to three points and cut the life expectancy of rusted-on St Kilda supporters.

But thanks to Membrey, Marshall and a free kick to Nick Coffield they held on.

The Dogs were always just short. Picture: Michael Klein

DIMMA IN THE HOUSE

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick popped his head out from a corporate suite just before the first bounce.

Hardwick’s Tigers will take on the Saints in a semi-final, and his planning is under way to reverse their 26-point loss from Round 4.

BOTH SIDES BLOW CHANCES

St Kilda fans know better than anyone the perils of poor goalkicking in finals.

In the first half Tim Membrey, Jack Lonie and Jarryn Geary combined for 0.3 (3) that simply should’ve been 3.0 (18).

At the other end the Bulldogs couldn’t miss. Mitch Wallis threaded a ridiculous right-foot goal from so close to the crowd the AFL’s COVID-19 police have probably checked the footage.

Hayden Crozier, who hasn’t played forward since he was wearing a Fremantle jumper three years ago, also crushed a long set-shot.

But Bailey Smith and Lachie Hunter were red-faced in the third quarter when they botched simple set-shots.

NEW KICKS UP FORWARD

The Bulldogs wheeled out a new-look attack and it put St Kilda’s defence under more pressure than Aaron Sandilands’ thongs.

Hayden Crozier, Jason Johannisen and Roarke Smith surprisingly started in attack and harassed, chased tackled and buzzed around.

The problem was, the Saints refused to lay down and for so much play in the second quarter the Dogs had just one goal to show for it, from a fortunate free paid to Wallis.

Full-back Callum Wilkie is harder to crack than a rubik’s cube and they absorbed like a sponge.

Johannisen shifted back in the second half, as Daniel was released to a wing and Zaine Cordy (ankle) was ruled out.

As the game progressed it became painfully clear there was more life in a morgue than the Dogs’ attacking 50m.

Naughton is 20 and fresh from his fourth operation in a year. Bruce has far fewer excuses, and kicked just three goals from his final eight games.

One year into Bruce’s four-year deal it is fair to say it hasn’t worked.

Josh Bruce after final siren. Picture: Michael Klein

BEVO FORECASTS ‘SIGNIFICANT’ TEAM CHANGES

Beveridge said there will be six new faces in next year’s Round 1 line-up.

The Dogs conceded 21 contested marks, which was the equal-most by any club this season as Max King (four), Jarryn Geary (four) and Jake Carlisle (three) held sway.

“It’s pretty bitter. Their talls either end really got the better of us,” Beveridge said.

“We had a handful of guys who weren’t at their best, and we can’t afford that with the vulnerabilities we have in our side.

“We’ve really made something of the year, but it’s really hollow.

“We still feel like we’ve got some juice, even though we had some boys down on energy today.

“Our team will change significantly,” Beveridge said.

“By the team we play Round 1 there’s probably going to be six different players in this team.

“(Against St Kilda) we just couldn’t quite spoil some of those long, down-the-line situations well enough.

“We didn’t defend those well enough.

“We do rely on help in the air, and our timing and our scope to actually help each other in the air just wasn’t there.”

The Dogs won inside 50s 51-35 but Beveridge said the “quality was a bit off” and they uncharacteristically bombed it in.

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SCOREBOARD

ST KILDA 2.2 5.4 9.6 10.7 (67)

def

WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.1 4.3 5.6 9.10 (64)

GOALS

St Kilda: King 2, Ryder 2, Membrey 2, Geary 2, Lonie, Butler

Western Bulldogs: Daniel, Hunter, Liberatore, Crozier, Johannisen, Dunkley, Wallis, Bruce, Naughton

BEST

St Kilda: Ryder, Hannebery, Coffield, Geary, Marshall, Howard, Membrey, Carlisle, Wilkie, King

Western Bulldogs: Daniel, Crozier, Dunkley, Liberatore, Williams, Smith, Macrae, Hunter

INJURIES

St Kilda: Ryder (hamstring)

Western Bulldogs: Cordy (ankle)

SAM LANDSBERGER’S VOTES:

3 — Paddy Ryder (St K)

2 — Caleb Daniel (WB)

1 — Dan Hannebery (St K)

Originally published as AFL Finals: St Kilda’s Ben Long loses appeal to overturn one-match ban for rough conduct