Patrick Cripps will miss the final two rounds of the regular season after an unsuccessful appeal at the AFL Tribunal over a rough conduct charge.
Carlton attempted to argue that Cripps’ act – which left Callum Ah Chee concussed – was “not a bump” and was instead a pure contest.
Cripps, giving evidence, insisted his eyes were on the ball at all times, while the AFL argued Cripps had alternatives to how he could’ve contested the ball.
The AFL went as far as to argue Cripps elected to bump.
After a lengthy deliberation period, the Tribunal found the charge should be upheld.
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Meanwhile West Coast star Tim Kelly also fronted the Tribunal, contesting a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle on Adelaide’s Sam Berry, which was assessed as careless conduct with medium impact and high contact.
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Kelly’s legal representative argued the impact from the tackle should be classified as ‘low’ rather than ‘medium’.
Giving evidence, Kelly said there was little ill feeling from Berry towards him in the aftermath of the tackle, while a medical report showed Berry required no treatment and would not miss any games or training sessions as a result.
Kelly added: “To be brutally honest, it didn’t look like there was much impact at all.”
Ultimately, the Tribunal upheld the charge of medium impact and thus upheld Kelly’s ban.
Speaking after the side’s loss, Carlton coach Michael Voss came to the defense of Cripps’ action.
“I thought it was a good answer,” he said.
“The umpire probably told the story, he didn’t pay a free kick, did he? Clearly he felt the arms were out and it was evenly contested and clearly when you have not a lot of time to adjust in those circumstances, it made for a difficult contest.
“From what I’ve seen, the arms were outstretched and it was a pretty even contest.”
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