Friday
Lance Franklin has been handed a one match ban for striking Richmond midfielder Trent Cotchin on Friday night.
The Match Review Officer (MRO) graded Franklin’s contact as intentional, low impact and high contact, resulting in a one game suspension.
#Sydney have appealed Franklin’s ban.
Richmond’s Toby Nankervis was charged with rough conduct against Luke Parker and can accept a $3,000 sanction with an early plea.
Saturday
Charges laid:
Isaac Smith, Geelong Cats, has been charged with Striking Lachlan Murphy, the Adelaide Crows, during the second quarter of the Round 11 match between the Geelong Cats and the Adelaide Crows played at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday, May 28, 2022.
In summary, he can accept a $2000 sanction with an early plea.
Based on the available evidence, the incident was assessed as Careless Conduct, Low Impact, High Contact. The incident was classified as a $3000 sanction as a first offence. The player can accept a $2000 sanction with an early plea.
Jarman Impey, Hawthorn, has been charged with Other Misconduct against Ben Ainsworth, the Gold Coast SUNS, during the third quarter of the Round 11 match between the Gold Coast SUNS and Hawthorn played at TIO Stadium on Saturday, May 28, 2022.
In summary, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea.
Based on the available evidence, the incident was assessed as Other Misconduct. The incident was classified as a $1500 sanction as a first offence. The player can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea.
Sam Frost, Hawthorn, has been charged with Forceful Front-On-Contact against Brandon Ellis, Gold Coast SUNS, during the fourth quarter of the Round 11 match between the Gold Coast SUNS and Hawthorn played at TIO Stadium on Saturday, May 28, 2022.
In summary, he can accept a one-match suspension with an early plea.
Based on the available evidence, the incident was assessed as Careless Conduct, Medium Impact, High Contact. The incident was classified as a one-match sanction as a first offence. The player can accept a one-match sanction with an early plea.
Sunday
Two charges were laid and there were no incidents that required a detailed explanation.
Charges laid:
Jack Newnes, Carlton, has been charged with Rough Conduct (Dangerous Tackle) against Jamie Elliott, Collingwood, during the first quarter of the Round 11 match between Collingwood and Carlton played at the MCG on Sunday, May 29, 2022.
In summary, he can accept a $2000 sanction with an early plea.
Based on the available evidence, the incident was assessed as Careless Conduct, Low Impact, High Contact. The incident was classified as a $3000 sanction as a first offence. The player can accept a $2000 sanction with an early plea.
Dylan Shiel, Essendon, has been charged with Striking Zak Butters, Port Adelaide, during the third quarter of the Round 11 match between Port Adelaide and Essendon played at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday, May 29, 2022.
In summary, he can accept a $2000 sanction with an early plea.
Based on the available evidence, the incident was assessed as Intentional Conduct, Low Impact, Body Contact. The incident was classified as a $3000 sanction as a first offence. The player can accept a $2000 sanction with an early plea.
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If you punch Cotchin, you should gain immunity from a future suspension, in recognition of outstanding services to the game.
It was a pretty low act by Buddy to be honest.
Hawthorn: Sam Frost has accepted his 1 game suspension
Lance Franklin will miss a week with his suspension upheld.
In a fiery virtual hearing, the AFL’s legal counsel Andrew Woods delivered a stinging assessment of Franklin’s conduct against Richmond veteran Trent Cotchin.
“It’s a strike and not push,” Woods told the Tribunal on Wednesday night.
“Did Franklin hit Cotchin? Of course he did as Cotchin had got under his skin.
“There’s kids watching, there’s families watching, it’s cowardly behaviour.”
In an unprecedented move, the AFL formally apologised to Franklin for the remarks made by Woods.
“There are no cowardly players in the AFL, let alone Lance Franklin,” an AFL statement read.
“Lance Franklin is a champion of our game.
“Legal counsel assisting the tribunal used his own words to describe the circumstances of the strike on Trent Cotchin, namely that Mr Cotchin was reasonably not expecting to be struck by Mr Franklin.
“Trent Cotchin is a premiership captain and one of the most respected leaders in the competition.
“It is the AFL’s view that rhetorical flourishes of the nature used by both Counsel last night should not be part of the AFL tribunal process and they do not reflect the views of the AFL.
“The AFL has today (Thursday) contacted Lance Franklin and the Sydney Swans to apologise for the comment and reiterated our respect for Lance and his standing in the game.”
Cotchin’s reputation also took a battering during the hearing as the Swans’ lawyer Duncan Miller claimed the three-time Tigers premiership captain exaggerated the contact against him from Franklin.
“I suggest Cotchin might get an invite to the Logies instead of the Brownlow this year,” Miller told the tribunal.
“The exaggerated head movement gave it away, then there’s a wry smile on Cotchin’s face.”
In my opinion the difference between Franklin clocking Cotchin and Barry Hall clocking Brent Staker is that Hall packs a harder punch.
Buddy punched Cotchin and deserved the match suspension.
A thug is a thug. I am disappointed that the AFL apologised for the “cowardly comment”. After all, what we used to label a “king hit” is now referred to as a “coward punch”.
I wonder what suspension Toby would get for same indiscretion.
I am braced for the barrage of thumbs down, but some things need to be said.
Well said Baz,
The potential of the act and the look of it was something that does not belong in our game or our society.
Cotchin gives and takes and probably saved Franklin by copping it sweet, but you are right Baz, if you let that go on the field then dont high-lite the punch-ons in the carparks and streets after the games.
Yes it was a brain-fade but wouldnt it be fantastic if buddy came out and apologised for it. Would send a great message.
Thanks Finnigin.
I would love to see an apology from Buddy. I actually think it would add to his legacy.