Geelong Advertiser |
SOUTH Barwon captain Dan Roy is free to play in Saturday’s grand final rematch against Grovedale after surviving a marathon investigation hearing at the AFL Barwon tribunal tonight.
Roy was found not guilty of conduct unbecoming over an off-the-ball incident that left Lara youngster Liam Phillips concussed in Round 9.
The hearing stretched beyond two-and-a-half hours after testimonies from four witnesses, both players and the presentation of a five-page report delivered by investigation officer Paul Evans.
There was no vision of the incident but match footage showed Phillips lying on the ground near centre-wing at McDonald Reserve just after the collision.
Each witness’ version of events differed slightly, leading to lengthy cross-examinations and a lack of certainty over the exact nature of the contact and force.
Both Roy and Phillips were moving across the ground to the Reynolds Rd wing following a switch in play when the collision occurred about 40m off the ball.
Roy made a sudden movement to the left, colliding with the right side of Phillips off a couple of steps, but maintained he never saw Phillips because he was focused on reaching the next contest.
Roy said the contact was accidental, a point also argued by South Barwon vice-president David Barnes, who said the two players were moving on a line of convergence and strongly maintained there was nothing untoward in the contact.
Asked by South Barwon advocate Howard Beer: “was it your intention to take this player out?”, Roy replied “no”.
Phillips rated the force of the contact a nine out of 10 and said the incident caused tenderness to his jaw and back of his head.
He passed a subsequent concussion test in the rooms but did not return to the field.
He also did not play the following week — on doctor’s orders — and was prescribed medication to help him sleep after suffering from severe headaches and neck pain.
Under intense cross-examination, Phillips could not confidently say what part of Roy’s body made contact with him.
He did not brace for contact, saying he was unaware of Roy’s presence.
Witness Josh Huxtable, who was nearby, told the tribunal he believed Roy moved off his line to instigate the contact and potentially used a raised elbow.
Huxtable said he then called Roy “a dog”. Asked why, he said “because I believe it was a dog’s act”.
The three-member tribunal, chaired chaired by Phil Swindells, also heard from Lara assistant coach Shayne Stone and veteran South Barwon trainer Mark Shrimpton.
A medical report from the Lara physiotherapist was also submitted.
