Geelong Advertiser |
ASH Medal chance Baden Dodd is still in contention for the league’s highest honour after the AFL Barwon tribunal last night cleared him of stomping.
The Geelong Amateur gun had been accused of stamping on Daniel McCaskill in the BFL match against Modewarre on Saturday. The rough conduct charge was not upheld, meaning Dodd is free to play Anglesea this weekend and is still eligible for the competition’s best and fairest award.
“I’m stoked,” Dodd said after the verdict. “I’ve always been a fair player. It’s always good to be playing and I don’t want to miss out.”
The tribunal, chaired by Phil Swindells, heard Dodd and McCaskill had contested a mark in the first term. Both went to ground and when the ball spilled out McCaskill twice grabbed Dodd around the legs.
Dodd shook to free his right leg, which he said was being “hugged” to McCaskill’s chest.
That motion was judged by boundary umpire Tyler Sheaf as a stomp.
“My main objective was to free my leg and get to the ball,” Dodd said.
“I was balancing on one leg, I had nowhere to go.”
McCaskill acknowledged he played a significant role in Dodd’s report.
Swindells said there was no malice in Dodd’s action and found the charge not sustained.
