Tigers ruck crisis as Soldo banned in AFL

Richmond will be without backup ruckman Ivan Soldo for Saturday night's blockbuster against Essendon after his one-game ban was upheld.

Ivan Soldo

Richmond Tigers player Ivan Soldo's one-game ban was upheld at the AFL tribunal. (AAP)

Richmond have lost back-up ruckman Ivan Soldo for the AFL blockbuster against Essendon after their tribunal bid failed.

The Tigers tried to reduce Soldo's one-game striking ban to a fine.

But after 14 minutes of deliberating, the three-man jury ruled it was intentional conduct and so Soldo will miss Saturday night's Dreamtime At The 'G clash against the Bombers.

Richmond left the hearing without comment, but football manager Neil Balme had made their displeasure clear, shaking his head immediately after the verdict.

Soldo has come into the senior team for premiership ruckman Toby Nankervis, who is sidelined with an adductor injury.

They now must find another backup for Saturday night's annual Dreamtime At The 'G clash with the Bombers.

Callum Coleman-Jones could make his AFL debut, while Mabior Chol or Noah Balta are other options.

The Tigers only argued intent, accepting the original gradings of high contact and low impact.

Soldo was running to take a position further up the ground during Sunday's win at the MCG when Hawthorn midfielder James Worpel stepped into his path.

The young Tigers ruckman put up a forearm and caught Worpel high, apologising immediately.

Soldo testified he was only trying to shield himself, but AFL advocate Jeff Gleeson GC called it an "impulsive fit of frustration".

"He just stepped in front (of me) and tried to initiate contact," Soldo said.

"It was definitely not my intention at all to get Worpel high."

Jury members Paul Williams, Wayne Henwood and James Wakelin ruled it was intentional rather than careless conduct, meaning the original one-game ban was upheld.


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Source: AAP



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