In a dramatic turn of events, Brisbane Lions’ standout Charlie Cameron has been cleared to play after successfully appealing a three-match suspension for rough conduct. The Appeal Board’s decision on Thursday night reversed the League Tribunal’s initial ruling, which had upheld the suspension just two days prior.
The Appeal: An Error of Law
The Lions’ legal team, led by Chris Winneke, argued that the Tribunal made a critical error by not properly assessing whether Cameron’s tackle on West Coast’s Liam Duggan was indeed a reportable offence before applying the Tribunal guidelines. Duggan was left concussed from the tackle, prompting the initial charge against Cameron.
Winneke contended that the Tribunal “put the cart before the horse” by focusing on the guidelines rather than first determining the nature of the tackle itself.
“The Tribunal reasoned backward from the conduct to conclude the conduct had a certain character to it,” Winneke explained. “We say it should’ve started by considering for itself what amounted to rough conduct.”
The Tackle: Lawful or Dangerous?
Central to the Lions’ argument was the assertion that Cameron’s actions were a “lawful tackle” within the rules of the game. Winneke disputed the Tribunal’s characterization that Cameron had driven Duggan back with “excessive force,” which was the basis for the rough conduct charge.
“Cameron didn’t drive Duggan backwards at all, and it’s simply wrong to say that his actions turned a legal tackle into a dangerous one,” Winneke asserted.
AFL’s Counterargument
AFL lawyer Lisa Hannon countered that the Tribunal had correctly applied the guidelines and that their consideration was consistent with the required tests under the laws and regulations for rough conduct.
“There really was no prioritisation of the guidelines,” Hannon stated. “Those aspects of the guidelines to which the Tribunal averted in its reasons were entirely consistent with the test required to establish, under the laws and regulations, having regard both to the charge of rough conduct and its proper characterisation.”
The Verdict
Ultimately, the Appeal Board sided with the Lions, agreeing that the Tribunal had erred in its approach. This decision means Cameron is now cleared to participate in Brisbane’s crucial clash against ladder leader Sydney on Sunday, much to the relief of the team and its fans.
With Cameron back in the lineup, Brisbane is poised to bring its best game against Sydney, aiming to solidify its position in the top 4 of the AFL ladder.
This ruling not only boosts the Lions’ chances in their upcoming match but also sets a significant precedent for how tackles and rough conduct charges might be assessed in the future.
