Brodie Palfreyman handed three-match ban for TSL’s ‘sandgate’

Brodie Palfreyman has learned his fate at the TSL tribunal over the competition’s ‘sandgate’ incident.

Launceston co-captain Brodie Palfreyman will be free to play as early as round 1, 2024 – should he recover from a leg injury – despite the star midfielder being handed a three-match ban at the TSL tribunal on Tuesday night.

Palfreyman was charged with engaging in any other act of misconduct or serious misconduct back in round 19 for throwing sand from the centre circle in the face and eyes of North Hobart’s Angus Norton.

Palfreyman also fractured his leg in the same game. Picture: Linda Higginson

With the match review officer deeming the offence as a direct tribunal offence, Palfreyman was sent straight to the tribunal and pleaded guilty to the charge.

But given he fractured his leg in the same clash, Palfreyman will be eligible to play in the opening round of 2024 should he recover in time with the sanction applied retrospectively from August 22, 2023.

That means, he technically was suspended for Saturday’s loss versus Lauderdale and this weekend’s final home and away game against Glenorchy and the semi-final clash with Clarence in the first week of finals.

When contacted by The Mercury in the wake of the incident, Launceston coach Mitch Thorp said Palfreyman would be ready for the start of next season.

“He’ll definitely be back for the start of next season,” he said.

“It’s a good thing it was a clean break, you can get a plate in it and get back on your feet fairly quickly.”

It was a busy night at the TSL tribunal for the Blues with two other premiership veterans also charged over incidents from this past Saturday’s clash against Lauderdale.

Dylan Riley will be free to play Glenorchy this Saturday. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Jamieson House accepted an early guilty plea after being charged with intentionally or carelessly kicking another person.

The charge warranted a one-match ban in accordance with AFL Tasmania policy but was downgraded to a reprimand thanks to the early guilty plea, meaning House will be free to face the Pies on Saturday.

Former Hudson Medal winner Dylan Riley is also free to play this week after he got off with a reprimand thanks to the submission of an early guilty plea.

Riley was charged with intentionally or carelessly striking another person.