GWS small ahead Toby Bedford will miss the Giants’ elimination ultimate in opposition to St Kilda after failing to have his one-match tough conduct ban overturned or downgraded on the AFL tribunal.
Bedford was charged for his off-the-ball bump on Carlton defender Zac Fisher within the third quarter of GWS’ spherical 24 win at Marvel Stadium.
The contact was graded as careless, medium affect and excessive contact, drawing a one-match ban, after Fisher required a concussion evaluation at three-quarter time, which he handed.
GWS argued the bump was not excessive or forceful and shouldn’t be thought of medium affect.
Both of these arguments have been rejected by the panel of Jeff Gleeson, Darren Gaspar and Scott Stevens, who agreed with AFL counsel Lisa Hannon’s argument the potential to trigger a head damage meant the bump needs to be thought of medium affect.
Hannon additionally mentioned the style wherein Bedford approached the ball was unreasonable within the circumstances as he may have elected to shepherd or block with out bumping Fisher as strongly as he did.
Gleeson cited video and nonetheless picture proof of Fisher’s head showing to come back into contact with Bedford’s physique in a whiplash movement, and the ahead holding his jaw after the incident.
Bedford, dominated out of his first profession AFL ultimate on the MCG on Saturday, didn’t communicate.
The Giants relied closely on testimony from Fisher, who mentioned the bump was not excessive.
“It was front shoulder against his shoulder,” Fisher mentioned.
“Through the shoulder, it was a good bump – but I definitely could’ve protected myself a little bit better.”
Fisher mentioned he had hadn’t wished to be assessed for concussion as he was “feeling a-OK to continue”.
He had no marks, bruising or swelling left from the contact.
The Giants additionally turned to proof from a biomechanist, whereas there was additionally a back-and-forth between Hannon and GWS counsel Ben Ihle relating to the definition of “forceful” contact.
Bedford has performed 16 video games in his first season on the Giants after he was traded from Melbourne, kicking 10 targets and averaging 5 tackles per sport.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
