TonyK
CibbuanoMitchell to put Hawks first
May 27th 2008 00:09
HAWTHORN captain Sam Mitchell is expected to give up his chance of winning this year's Brownlow medal to ensure he play's in Saturday's blockbuster against the Western Bulldogs.
Mitchell can plead guilty to the match review panel's charge of tripping Melbourne's Simon Buckley and accept a reprimand, which would clear him to play in the one-versus-three clash at Aurora Stadium.
But doing so would rule the midfielder ineligible to win the game's highest individual honour, as Mitchell's stellar start to the season has him equal Brownlow favourite with Geelong's Gary Ablett with betting agency Centrebet, and second favourite with TAB Sportsbet.
Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said Brownlow was "not a consideration" as the ladder leaders weigh up whether to contest his tripping charge.
If the Hawks choose to contest the charge at the tribunal, they will risk having the midfielder suspended for one match as the initial offence has drawn a total of 125 demerit points and a one-week ban.
But he can reduce that to 93.75 points through a guilty plea and good record, and under the one-game threshold.
Under AFL rules, players found guilty of offences initially totalling 100 or more demerit points are ineligible to win the Brownlow.
Evans said the club would consider all of its options before making a decision.
"We don't think there's a lot to answer for, but there might be more danger than benefit," Evans said of the incident.
"We will make our final decision tomorrow morning."
Mitchell can plead guilty to the match review panel's charge of tripping Melbourne's Simon Buckley and accept a reprimand, which would clear him to play in the one-versus-three clash at Aurora Stadium.
But doing so would rule the midfielder ineligible to win the game's highest individual honour, as Mitchell's stellar start to the season has him equal Brownlow favourite with Geelong's Gary Ablett with betting agency Centrebet, and second favourite with TAB Sportsbet.
Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said Brownlow was "not a consideration" as the ladder leaders weigh up whether to contest his tripping charge.
If the Hawks choose to contest the charge at the tribunal, they will risk having the midfielder suspended for one match as the initial offence has drawn a total of 125 demerit points and a one-week ban.
But he can reduce that to 93.75 points through a guilty plea and good record, and under the one-game threshold.
Under AFL rules, players found guilty of offences initially totalling 100 or more demerit points are ineligible to win the Brownlow.
Evans said the club would consider all of its options before making a decision.
"We don't think there's a lot to answer for, but there might be more danger than benefit," Evans said of the incident.
"We will make our final decision tomorrow morning."
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