TonyK
CibbuanoKirk escapes suspension
April 7th 2009 08:41
SYDNEY co-captain Brett Kirk is free to play in Saturday night's clash against Brisbane at the Gabba after escaping suspension for making reckless contact with field umpire Matthew James.
The tribunal agreed with Kirk's counsel Terry Forrest QC who argued that the contact between player and umpire was on the 'low end of the scale' and that Kirk had no options.
With a guilty plea the sanction was reduced by 25 per cent, meaning he received 93.75 demerit points to take him below the threshold for a one-match ban while his fine was also reduced to $1950.
Meanwhile, Brisbane midfielder Luke Power was cleared of making negligent contact with an umpire but was hit with a $2600 fine.
Port star Daniel Motlop will be free to play iagainst Melbourne on Easter Monday after being found not guilty of striking West Coast utility Adam Hunter, while North Melbourne's Michael Firrito was found not guilty of striking Western Bulldogs skipper Brad Johnson.
The news wasn't as good for Essendon utility Adam McPhee who will miss Saturday's clash against arch-rivals Carlton after being hit with a one-match ban for striking Fremantle's Scott Thornton.
McPhee could have accepted a two-match ban but had his suspension reduced to one match after the panel ruled that his strike was reckless and not intentional.
The tribunal agreed with Kirk's counsel Terry Forrest QC who argued that the contact between player and umpire was on the 'low end of the scale' and that Kirk had no options.
With a guilty plea the sanction was reduced by 25 per cent, meaning he received 93.75 demerit points to take him below the threshold for a one-match ban while his fine was also reduced to $1950.
Meanwhile, Brisbane midfielder Luke Power was cleared of making negligent contact with an umpire but was hit with a $2600 fine.
Port star Daniel Motlop will be free to play iagainst Melbourne on Easter Monday after being found not guilty of striking West Coast utility Adam Hunter, while North Melbourne's Michael Firrito was found not guilty of striking Western Bulldogs skipper Brad Johnson.
The news wasn't as good for Essendon utility Adam McPhee who will miss Saturday's clash against arch-rivals Carlton after being hit with a one-match ban for striking Fremantle's Scott Thornton.
McPhee could have accepted a two-match ban but had his suspension reduced to one match after the panel ruled that his strike was reckless and not intentional.
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