Port Adelaide’s bid to free Junior Rioli from suspension has failed with the AFL tribunal slapping the dynamic ahead with a two-week ban.
But the Power have been capable of save Rioli from a three-match ban, arguing the 27-year-old’s strike on Essendon defender Jordan Ridley was extreme as an alternative of excessive affect.
Rioli collected Ridley excessive after protruding his arm in a careless try to dam for a teammate throughout Sunday’s conflict at Adelaide Oval.
A dazed Ridley fell to the bottom and was subbed out of the match with concussion within the second quarter.
The 24-year-old will even miss Essendon’s recreation in opposition to the Brisbane Lions on the Gabba on Saturday evening.
After deliberating for half-hour, the tribunal deemed the pressure of Rioli’s strike was excessive, not extreme.
“Rioli’s intention was to block Rioli and not strike him (Ridley), he delivered a blow with his hand or arm,” AFL tribunal chairman Jeff Gleeson stated.
“On one view he was unfortunate but moving his arm the way he did meant that he was careless to whether he committed a strike.”
Port Adelaide’s lawyer Paul Ehrlich claimed Rioli didn’t strike Ridley as he was trying to shepherd the Bombers backman.
“We say unfortunately because the arm (of Rioli) was up, Mr Ridley ran into it,” Ehrlich informed the tribunal.
The truth there’s a concussion doesn’t suggest the affect was extreme.”
Ehrlich used many examples during his lengthy argument, saying the contact Rioli made to Ridley was far less impactful than other incidents during recent seasons.
The AFL’s counsel Lisa Hannon said Rioli delivered a “blow with some pressure” while he was running and off the ground.
“It would not matter if it was in a blocking movement, there would not have to be a swing to be a strike,” she told the tribunal.
Ehrlich even brought up Sydney great Barry Hall’s infamous knockout punch on West Coast’s Brent Staker 15 years ago when arguing his case.
“There are spectrums of ‘extreme’ affect. At one finish of the intense you will have – I will not point out his title – in 2008, a sure participant (Hall) who hit a sure West Coast participant (Staker),” Ehrlich said.
Rioli will miss Port’s matches against North Melbourne (away) and Melbourne (home).
The West Coast premiership participant has featured in all eight video games for the Power this season after his transfer to Alberton on the finish of final 12 months.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
