Geelong Advertiser |
ST MARY’S co-coach Rob Condy is free to play in Saturday’s crunch clash with Grovedale after receiving a severe reprimand at the AFL Barwon tribunal.
Speaking after the hearing, a visibly relieved Condy was rapt to escape suspension for allegedly making forceful front-on contact to St Joseph’s Brandon Verfurth during the teams’ top-of-the-table clash at the weekend.
“I’m rapt,” Condy said.
“I’m glad he (Verfurth) doesn’t miss any training sessions for the (Geelong) Falcons, that’s what I’m glad about.”
The tribunal, chaired by Ron Drew, assessed video footage of the incident and found Condy guilty of the charge.
St Mary’s advocate Tim Dobbyn, for Condy, said he was “confused with the process” when he was unable to plead a case.
“This is a change to the procedure,” Dobbyn said.
“This is completely and utterly different to any tribunal we’ve had.”
St Mary’s was told it could not argue the case and was only able to provide a character reference of the former Collingwood and Geelong VFL-listed player.
“Rob has played footy for 22 years and never been reported, never sent off and he’s a noted ballplayer,” Donlan said.
“We believe Rob did his best to turn side on and avoid contact to the head.
“We think the penalty should be mitigated to a severe reprimand.”
Mr Drew said the tribunal took into account Condy’s clean record in offering him a severe reprimand and made the appropriate ruling under VCFL rules.
In other cases last night, Bell Post Hill veteran Shaun Lewis was cleared of striking Anakie’s Nick Trotter to the head.
