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Clubs and AFL square ledger at tribunal

Luke McDonald will miss North Melbourne's Good Friday clash with Essendon after the AFL tribunal upheld his one-week suspension for rough conduct.

AFL
Kangaroo Luke McDonald failed to get his AFL ban overturned. (AAP)

In a league consumed by win-loss records, the AFL squared the ledger on Tuesday night to be 3-3.

After six sittings of the tribunal in 2019, there have been three decisions of the match review officer Michael Christian overturned and three upheld.

Luke McDonald's attempt to clear himself of a rough conduct charge fell short, and the defender will miss the club's Good Friday clash with Essendon.

The 24-year-old struck Adelaide's Chayce Jones with a late, high and clumsy spoil in their win on Saturday night.

The Crows teenager was concussed when he got up from the clash and is in doubt for Sunday's visit of Gold Coast.

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The AFL argued successfully that the concussion validated Christian's grading of the clash as 'medium impact', which led to the suspension.

"I'm obviously really disappointed," McDonald said.

"I thought we had a pretty good case to get off. But I just hope that Chayce is alright and that he can get up this weekend.

"This week is a massive day for the club and I won't be out there."

The tribunal is functioning differently in 2019, with more appeals, and clubs enjoying a more successful hit rate.

Speaking prior to his player coming before the tribunal, North Melbourne coach Brad Scott said just because clubs had won a few appeals didn't mean Christian was getting his decisions wrong.

"I think it is working," he said.

"The AFL, if they're wavering on whether they charge a player or not, it seems to be that they'll lay the charge and leave it up to the clubs to challenge if they don't agree with it.

"To me that's the system working."

AFL TRIBUNAL IN 2019

* Luke McDonald, North Melbourne - Upheld

McDonald was charged with rough conduct against Adelaide's Chayce Jones. His one-week ban stood.

* Dustin Martin, Richmond - Downgraded

Martin was charged with striking GWS's Adam Kennedy. His two-match ban was downgraded to one match.

* Mason Cox, Collingwood - Overturned

Cox was charged with rough conduct against Richmond's Dylan Grimes. His charge and one-week ban was thrown out.

* Steven May, Melbourne - Upheld

May was charged with rough conduct against Brisbane's Jarrod Berry. His one-week ban stood.

* Taylor Walker, Adelaide - Upheld

Walker was charged with rough conduct against Port Adelaide's Riley Bonner. His $3000 fine stood.

* Shane Mumford, GWS - Downgraded

Mumford was charged with striking Sydney's George Hewett. His one-week ban was downgraded to a $3000 fine.


3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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