Gut punches look set to spend a week in the AFL media spotlight, after North Melbourne’s Ben Cunnington was only handed a fine for his shot that floored Melbourne’s Bernie Vince.
There had been calls for the Match Review Panel to send a message by suspending the Roos inside midfielder, but that has seemingly been ignored.
Just one player was suspended in Sunday’s spiteful clash at the MCG, with Christian Salem offered a week for his elbow to Shaun Higgins. Higgins too was fined for a shot to Clayton Oliver.
Kurt Tippett, Patrick Cripps and Joe Daniher were fined for other incidents.
Here is the full MRP statement from AFL.com.au:
Kurt Tippett, Sydney Swans, has been charged with striking Jarryn Geary, St Kilda, during the first quarter of the Round Nine match between the Sydney Swans and St Kilda, played at Etihad Stadium on Saturday May 20, 2017.
In summary, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea.
Based on the available video evidence and a medical report from the St Kilda Football Club, the incident was assessed as careless conduct with low impact to the head. The incident was classified as a $1500 sanction. The player has no applicable record which impacts the penalty. An early plea enables the player to accept a $1000 sanction.
Joe Daniher, Essendon, has been charged with engaging in rough conduct against Sam Mitchell, West Coast, during the first quarter of the Round Nine match between Essendon and West Coast, played at Etihad Stadium on Sunday May 21, 2017.
In summary, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea.
Based on the available video evidence and a medical report from the West Coast Football Club, the incident was assessed as careless conduct with low impact to the body. The incident was classified as a $1500 sanction. The player has no applicable record which impacts the penalty. An early plea enables the player to accept a $1000 sanction.
Shaun Higgins, North Melbourne, has been charged with striking Clayton Oliver, Melbourne, during the first quarter of the Round Nine match between North Melbourne and Melbourne, played at the MCG on Sunday May 21, 2017.
In summary, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea.
Based on the available video evidence and a medical report from the Melbourne Football Club, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct with low impact to the body. The incident was classified as a $1500 sanction. The player has no applicable record which impacts the penalty. An early plea enables the player to accept a $1000 sanction.
Christian Salem, Melbourne, has been charged with striking Shaun Higgins, North Melbourne, during the second quarter of the Round Nine match between Melbourne and North Melbourne, played at the MCG on Sunday May 21, 2017.
In summary, he can accept a one-match sanction with an early plea.
Based on the available video evidence and a medical report from the North Melbourne Football Club, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct with low impact to the head. The incident was classified as a two-match sanction. The player has no applicable record which impacts the penalty. An early plea enables the player to accept a one-match sanction.
Ben Cunnington, North Melbourne, has been charged with striking Bernie Vince, Melbourne, during the second quarter of the Round Nine match between North Melbourne and Melbourne, played at the MCG on Sunday May 21, 2017.
In summary, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea.
Based on the available video evidence and a medical report from the Melbourne Football Club, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct with low impact to the body. The incident was classified as a $1500 sanction. The player has no applicable record which impacts the penalty. An early plea enables the player to accept a $1000 sanction.
Patrick Cripps, Carlton, has been charged with making forceful contact from front-on against Brady Grey, Fremantle, during the third quarter of the Round Nine match between Carlton and Fremantle, played at Domain Stadium on Sunday May 21, 2017.
In summary, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea.
Based on the available video evidence and a medical report from the Fremantle Football Club, the incident was assessed as careless conduct with low impact to the head. The incident was classified as a $1500 sanction. The player has no applicable record which impacts the penalty. An early plea enables the player to accept a $1000 sanction.
Other incidents assessed
Contact between the Geelong Cats’ Joel Selwood and the Western Bulldogs’ Tom Boyd from the third quarter of Friday’s match was assessed. Boyd is seeking to contest the ball when Selwood makes high contact to the Western Bulldogs’ player. A free kick was paid at the time for the high contact. It was the view of the panel the force used was below that required for a reportable offence. No further action was taken.
Contact between the Sydney Swans’ Callum Mills and St Kilda’s Jack Newnes from the first quarter of Saturday’s match was assessed. The ball is loose with both players coming to the contest from opposite directions. Both players turn to the side to brace for contact as they contest the ball. It was the view of the panel that Mills was contesting the ball and had no realistic alternative way to contest the ball. No further action was taken.
