Carlton’s Nic Newman has been cleared to play against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night amid uproar that the tribunal upheld the MROs decision to suspend Melbourne forward Jacob van Rooyen for his attempt to spoil Gold Coat defender Charlie Ballard’s mark.
The tribunal allowed Newman’s defence to take the unusual step of calling his opponent, Brisbane Lions’ midfielder Lachie Neale, to give evidence after he submitted a letter to the tribunal that argued that he had contributed to Newman’s left arm hitting his chin.
He then said that Newman’s right arm – which was the arm the striking charge related to – had not hit him above the shoulder. Neale said he was already unbalanced from the initial contact and the second contact merely helped him on his way as he fell to the ground.
Newman said he pushed rather than struck Neale as he tried to get past him to reach his opponent Charlie Cameron at a boundary throw-in.
Carlton’s Nic Newman was cleared of striking Lions’ star Lachie Neale Credit: Getty
Despite saying he wanted to avoid encouraging victims to give evidence because of the perceived pressure on them to support opponents, Tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson, KC, accepted the pair’s evidence as both admissible and credible, particularly with the video evidence being inconclusive, and dismissed the charge.
The tribunal was in a less forgiving mood when Gleeson and former players Jason Johnson and Paul Williams decided to uphold the two-week suspension on van Rooyen.
Although they accepted his approach to spoil was justified they said in their judgment that “a reasonable player would have foreseen a forceful blow to the head” when they ran back with the flight of the ball and attempted to spoil Ballard. They also determined that the potential risk to injury was so great they had to keep the contact as high rather than accept Melbourne’s argument that it should be classified as medium.
Senior coaches, Fremantle’s Justin Longmuir and Greater Western Sydney’s Adam Kingsley had told Fox Footy on Monday night they thought the 20-year-old should be cleared.
“He’d be stiff to miss. It looks like he’s really trying to go for the ball,” Kingsley said.
Melbourne will need to decide whether to appeal the decision to suspend key forward Jacob van RooyenCredit: Getty
“The only thing is where are his eyes, what’s his intent? You typically judge a player’s intent through their eyes.
“It feels like, to me, he was trying to compete and get the ball to ground.”
Other former players such as Sydney midfielder Jude Bolton took to social media to express their view on the decision.
The AFL have taken a hard line on blows to the head in 2023 with the league facing legal action relating to the effects of concussion. The tribunal has been happy to take the potential to cause serious injury into strong consideration when making judgments.
A club source confirmed on Tuesday evening that Melbourne will consider appealing the decision.
Geelong’s Brad Close will also miss Friday night’s match against Richmond after being suspended for a dangerous tackle.
