The Courier |
FOR THE second time in three weeks, Ballan footballer Mark Williams has been hit with a one-match suspension by the Goldfields Region Independent Tribunal.
Last night’s hearing saw Williams plead not guilty to a tripping charge against Gordon’s Ashley Munari in round 12 of Central Highlands Football League on July 13.
The incident happened in the second-quarter, 60 metres out from the Gordon goal, when Williams spilled a mark running back with the flight of the ball towards the Ballan-end, and collected the passing Munari’s foot with an attempted toe-poke.
Munari was dismissive of the incident, saying that he didn’t believe it was report worthy.
“I thought it might have been a free kick, but I didn’t think that he would have been sent off or reported for it,” Munari
said.
Williams’ defence provided video evidence of the clash, which contrasted with the umpire’s recollection of Munari having already marked the ball.
The tribunal’s decision to penalise Williams for one match was based on the notion that the action was “negligent rather than deliberate”, a statement that was echoed in Williams’ plea.
“Mark is an ornament around the club for junior players, and not the sort of player who would do anything untoward to another person on purpose,” Williams’ advocate said.
The Hawthorn premiership player has already been banned for one-match in Ballan’s round 10 loss to Hepburn for using abusive, insulting, threatening, or obscene language towards or in relation to an umpire.
“It was an instinctual thing (the trip), and an unfortunate outcome,” Williams told The Courier after the hearing.
“It’s frustrating for me, being suspended after just coming back from a suspension, but also frustrating for the club, which already has a lot of injuries and a lot of players out this year.”
When asked if he was considering appealing the charge, Williams replied “not at this stage”.
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