Patrick Cripps will miss the final two rounds of the regular season after an unsuccessful appeal at the AFL Tribunal over a rough conduct charge.
Carlton attempted to argue that Cripps’ act – which left Callum Ah Chee concussed – was “not a bump” and was instead a pure contest.
Cripps, giving evidence, insisted his eyes were on the ball at all times, while the AFL argued Cripps had alternatives to how he could have contested the ball.
The AFL went as far as to argue Cripps elected to bump.
After a lengthy deliberation period, the Tribunal found the charge should be upheld.
Tribunal chairperson Jeff Gleeson explained the jury’s decision.
“We find this act by Cripps falls within the phrase ‘in the bumping of an opponent’ … a player can simultaneously contest the ball and bump … Cripps turned his body into a classic bumping position when seeking to take possession .. Cripps could and should have contested the ball differently and in a way that did not present such a high and serious risk of a head injury to his fellow players,” he said.
“He could’ve taken the ball with his arms outstretched, which would’ve meant there was no act of bumping at all … Cripps changed his shape prior to impact from simply attempting to gather the ball to a bumping position in which he was airborne, that would very likely cause high contact to an opponent.”
Meanwhile West Coast star Tim Kelly also fronted the Tribunal, contesting a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle on Adelaide’s Sam Berry, which was assessed as careless conduct with medium impact and high contact.
Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Kelly’s legal representative argued the impact from the tackle should be classified as ‘low’ rather than ‘medium’.
Giving evidence, Kelly said there was little ill feeling from Berry towards him in the aftermath of the tackle, while a medical report showed Berry required no treatment and would not miss any games or training sessions as a result.
Kelly added: “To be brutally honest, it didn’t look like there was much impact at all.”
Ultimately, the Tribunal upheld the charge of medium impact and thus upheld Kelly’s ban.
Recap the AFL Tribunal in our blog below!
Can’t see the blog? Lose here.
.