Darwin Buffaloes’ Bradley Stokes has avoided a suspension after tribunal amends striking charge to careless conduct, low impact and high contact after NTFL Round 13

DARWIN Buffaloes’ Bradley Stokes has avoided a suspension after he appeared before the independent tribunal to answer the charge of striking Nightcliff captain Phillip Wills in his team’s big 87-point loss last Saturday night.

Darwin Buffaloes star Bradley Stokes has avoided suspension for an incident with Nightcliff captain Phillip Wills last Saturday night. Picture: Glenn Campbell

DARWIN Buffaloes’ Bradley Stokes has avoided a suspension after he appeared before the independent tribunal to answer the charge of striking Nightcliff captain Phillip Wills in his team’s big 87-point loss last Saturday night.

Stokes entered a plea of not guilty to the charge, which was originally classified as intentional conduct, low impact and high contact.

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Upon reviewing the footage and the evidence placed before them, the tribunal determined an alternative classification and amended the charge to be careless conduct, low impact and high contact.

Pursuant to 3.8 (c) in the 2020 State and Territory Tribunal Guidelines, Stokes was able to enter an early guilty plea to the amended charge.

In summary, the tribunal sanctioned Stokes with a reprimand given the re-grading took place and he took the early plea.