West Coast star Tim Kelly has failed in his bid to have a one-game suspension downgraded at the AFL Tribunal and will miss Saturday’s western derby against Fremantle.
Kelly was cited for engaging in rough conduct against Adelaide’s Sam Berry during Sunday’s clash at Optus Stadium.
His dangerous tackle was assessed as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact, resulting in the offer of a one-game suspension.
West Coast lawyer David Grace QC said the club agreed Kelly’s tackle was careless but the Eagle did everything possible to protect his opponent.
Kelly pinned Berry’s right arm in the tackle and spun his body as he took him to ground, but Grace said the lack of injury or treatment required for Berry meant the incident was the “epitome of low impact.”
“He got up straight away and took a free kick,” Grace said.
But AFL counsel Andrew Woods pointed to AFL guidelines stating that a lack of injury should not prevent impact from being rated higher given that the potential to cause injury can be taken into account.
He described the level of head high contact with the ground as significant.
He said there was clearly a risk of concussion or a serious neck injury.
Kelly said the pair’s weight shifted when Berry attempted to kick the ball and that it contributed to them spinning during the tackle. Kelly conceded Berry was in a vulnerable position and that he increased the level of force when taking him to ground.
But Kelly said the Crow had his left arm free during the tackle and used it to brace for contact.
“My intention was not to cause any harm to my opponent,” Kelly said.
“It didn’t look like there was much impact at all. He got straight up and took his free kick and played out the rest of the game.
“My intention is to tackle him and try to disrupt him. I’m trying not to give him an opportunity to get rid of the ball. I know he’s doing everything he can to get his foot from him to the ball. I’m trying my best to not allow him to make that kick.”
The court disagreed.
“The key issue was the potential to cause injury,” court chairman Jeff Gleeson said.
“We consider here the potential was significant. Mr Berry was swung a full 360 degrees with force, his feet were off the ground and that arm that might have protected him was pinned. His head hit the ground with considerable force.
“We found the impact was medium.”
Kelly won the Glendinning-Allan Medal in western derby 52 after a dominant performance where he won 42 possessions and 13 clearances.
Kelly had 26 disposals and won seven clearances against Adelaide.
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