Advertisement

Port to fight Gray’s suspension

Port Adelaide will challenge the one-match ban handed to star onballer Robbie Gray at the AFL tribunal.

Robbie Gray faces a one-match ban. Photo: AAP/Tracey Nearmy

Robbie Gray faces a one-match ban. Photo: AAP/Tracey Nearmy

Gray was charged with misconduct for his bump which felled West Coast’s Jeremy McGovern in Sunday’s pre-season game.

Under the revamped AFL match review system, Port can challenge Gray’s suspension at the tribunal – at a cost of $10,000.

The tribunal can’t increase Gray’s suspension but Port would lose the money if they were unsuccessful in appealing.

Gray’s right shoulder bumped into McGovern’s head when they were contesting a loose ball in the trial game – the Eagles defender left the field and didn’t return.

The AFL’s newly-appointed match review officer Michael Christian says Gray had options other than bumping.

“The option was there to genuinely contest the ball and he elected not to,” Christian said on Monday.

“When you elect to bump you must do it fairly.

“And if you make contact with the head in a careless manner, then that is when there may well be a penalty forthcoming.”

Gray’s teammate Paddy Ryder accepted a $2000 fine for striking Andrew Gaff during the trial against the Eagles.

– AAP

Local News Matters
Advertisement
Copyright © 2024 InDaily.
All rights reserved.