NTFL: Palmerston sticking by Des Ugle despite lengthy ban

NTFL club Palmerston has thrown its full support behind suspended utility Des Ugle. The league tribunal came down heavily on Ugle on Wednesday night, banning him for a combined 15 weeks

NTFL club Palmerston has thrown its full support behind suspended utility Des Ugle.

The league tribunal came down heavily on Ugle on Wednesday night, banning him for a combined 15 weeks on four charges relating to abusive, insulting, threatening and obscene language and behaviour towards officiating umpires, security staff and league officials.

It is the biggest playing ban handed down by the tribunal in 20 years.

Palmerston player Des Ugle.

Wanderers defender Danny Miskin copped a 30-week ban for his clash with then Palmerston Magpie ­Mathew Stokes in a 1997-98 match at TIO Stadium.

The incidents happened on and off the field and again post-match after the Magpies lost a fiercely contested match against Nightcliff.

Club president John Marshall told the NT News minutes after his player was suspended until Round 10 of the 2018-19 NTFL season that Ugle had a lot of work to do before returning to the field.

“There’s work Des needs to do and the club will support him in that,’’ Marshall said.

Tribunal chairman Marty Aust described Ugle’s behaviour as abusive, obscene and at times racially charged.

“It involved threatening and physical conduct,’’ Aust said when explaining the ­severity of the ban.

“It was directed at match officials, umpires, members of the general public and in full view of supporters, including families and children.

“The AFLNT is a competition that relies upon volunteers and support staff to make the game thrive.’’

Magpies coach Tavis Perry has been in constant contact with Ugle since the penalty was handed down.

“Des is very remorseful and disappointed in his own actions and the eventual outcome,’’ Perry said.

“We’re more concerned about Des himself and his own welfare and making sure he is still engaged with the club and the group.

“No doubt it hurts us on-field – he can play in the ruck, as a rover, a key forward or a key back and not many players have that on-field capability.’’