Geelong Advertiser | NEWTOWN & Chilwell star Adam Healy has avoided suspension after the AFL Barwon tribunal last night dismissed his charge of making forceful front-on contact.
Healy was reported in the opening quarter of Saturday’s clash against Leopold at Elderslie Reserve “for bumping or making forceful contact to an opponent front on when he has his head down over the ball.”
Leopold’s Darcy Keast was concussed in the incident and spent four hours in Geelong Hospital.
But the case was controversially thrown out within minutes after Eagles advocate Peter Murrihy successfully argued that Healy was charged under the wrong rule.
In a submission, Murrihy said “this is clearly the wrong charge, Adam Healy can’t be found guilty of this particular charge”.
“The rule says bumping or making forceful front on contact to a player who has his head down over the ball.
“Clearly the Leopold player’s head is not down over the ball. This particular charge ought to be thrown out.”
Umpires’ advocate Jonathon Kerr argued that the charge was correct, adding: “a player with their head down in anticipation of winning possession of the football or after contesting the football will be deemed to have their head down over the football for the purpose of this law”.
But the tribunal, chaired by Phil Swindells, dismissed the case.
Speaking after the hearing, Murrihy was pleased with the decision.
“I think common sense prevailed, it was clearly the wrong charge and the tribunal saw it that way,” he said.
Healy was remorseful and apologised to Keast after the hearing.
“You never go on the field to hurt anyone. It was just one of those things when I was out of the play and I went in to tackle him and unfortunately I came from underneath him and accidentally collected him,” he said.
“That happens on the football field and I’m sorry and I wish him luck for the year.”