Kane Ashwood free to play for Lindenow in East Gippsland league finals

In a shock development, Kane Ashwood will play for Lindenow in the first week of finals. See what has transpired this week.

Lindenow veteran Kane Ashwood has been given the all clear to resume playing in the East Gippsland league finals series despite still needing to answer a striking charge from a match in late June that also led to police charges being laid.

The EGFL tribunal reconvened this week to hear the charge against Ashwood arising from the Lindenow-Paynesville match where 36-year-old Ashwood was booked for allegedly striking Paynesville’s Caleb Martin.

Lindenow‘s Kane Ashwood. Picture: Supplied

The tribunal agreed to a submission from Lindenow to defer the original hearing until Ashwood appeared in court in October to answer charges of recklessly causing serious injury.

But in a change of heart, East Gippsland league secretary Ian Forbes confirmed Lindenow had a request granted for the tribunal hearing to proceed.

The tribunal this week ruled Ashwood could resume playing after a seven-match absence when Paynesville and the umpires declined to give evidence due to the pending court case.

It is understood Lindenow has video footage of the incident, which could support Ashwood’s defence against the charges.

Lindenow engaged the services of veteran tribunal player advocate Iain Findlay for this week’s hearing.

Lindenow plays Lucknow in the first semi-final at Stratford on Sunday.