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Key Roo Cunnington avoids AFL suspension

North Melbourne's Ben Cunnington has escaped with a fine from AFL match review officer Michael Christian after downing St Kilda's Jade Gresham.

AFL
Kangaroo Ben Cunnington has been fined but will avoid a suspension. (AAP)

Serial offender Ben Cunnington's AFL misdemeanours have left him $15,000 lighter in the pocket this season alone but the North Melbourne midfielder has again avoided suspension, this time for striking St Kilda opponent Jade Gresham.

Match review officer Michael Christian did not hand down any suspensions in his review of round 16, but a total of nine players have copped fines.

Cunnington can accept a $5000 sanction for landing a swinging left fist into Gresham's stomach, sending him crumpling to the turf in the third quarter of the Roos' 39-point win on Sunday.

The rugged onballer has been in All-Australian form this season, but he has also pushed the boundaries with his physicality.

Cunnington was slapped with two $3000 fines in one game for elbowing Brad Ebert and striking Robbie Gray in a round six loss to Port Adelaide .

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Match review officer Michael Christian also fined him $2000 for striking Fremantle's Nathan Wilson in round one, and $2500 for making careless umpire contact in round four.

He risks his latest fine being increased to $8000 if he opts to challenge it at the tribunal.

The often-fiery Adelaide and Perth derbies produced the majority of charges laid during round 16.

Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe copped a $2000 rough conduct sanction and teammate Luke Ryan was fined $1000 for misconduct.

West Coast backman Liam Duggan was offered a $2000 fine for rough conduct against Fyfe.

Port Adelaide duo Hamish Hartlett and Dougal Howard were each charged with striking, while Adelaide's Brodie Smith earned a rough conduct charge.

Essendon's Shaun McKernan was fined $2000 for striking Sydney opponent Jordan Dawson and Hawthorn's Daniel Howe received the same penalty for kneeing Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury in the head on Friday night.

Incidents involving Melbourne veteran Jordan Lewis and Carlton's Marc Murphy did not attract charges.


2 min read

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Source: AAP



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