Lachie Neale’s one-match ban will stand. And he will be ineligible for the grand final.
In a comprehensive ruling, the AFL tribunal has upheld Neale’s one-match ban for striking Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan in Saturday’s thrilling preliminary final at the MCG.
The AFL tribunal was critical of the veteran Lion, who hadn’t been suspended in 320 AFL matches.
Lachie Neale a training on Tuesday.Getty Images
“Neale jogged towards Ginnivan and formed the immediate intention to swing his arm forcefully at Ginnivan, and that is what he did,” said tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson.
“We have listened carefully to Neale’s evidence.
“But we find that it was inconsistent in key respects with what we saw on the video, and to what extent we do not accept it.
“There is no doubt in our minds that this should be graded as medium impact.
“While Ginnivan was not injured and did not appear to suffer any significant pain or discomfort, the blow was forceful and knocked him off his feet.
“As we have said, he immediately doubled over in a manner more consistent with a more than negligible blow having landed.
“It is relevant that this strike occurred nowhere near the ball, was not affected in or around the play, and because Ginnivan did not see Neale coming from behind or the side until the very last moment, he had no expectation of being struck until it was too late to meaningfully defend himself.”
The tribunal also dismissed any arguments that there were “compelling and exceptional circumstances” for Neale to avoid suspension and be eligible to play.
In a compelling case that both tested the AFL’s crackdown on “gut punches” and whether a player such as Neale should be granted leniency after more than 300 matches without suspension, Neale and the Lions can take the case to the AFL appeal board.
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