Weekly Times | CASTLEMAINE is standing by its assertion that coach Shane Robertson was suspended for three weeks, not three matches, but an official appeal looks unlikely.
Robertson’s suspension — after being found guilty on Friday of behaving in an abusive, threatening, insulting or obscene manner towards or in relation to an umpire — affects his matchday role and where he can be at grounds.
AFL Central Victoria representatives clarified the penalty on Monday. “The tribunal used the term three weeks; their whole intention the whole way through was three matches and that had to be clarified,” region general manager Paul Hamilton said.
But Castlemaine president Ian Bracken said the club would maintain the position that “three weeks means three weeks”. Castlemaine does not play on Saturday due to a split round.
Bracken said the club had “genuine concerns with how the hearing was conducted”, but said on Monday night it was unlikely to appeal.
Robertson strongly denied any wrongdoing, saying he had “no need to” argue because Castlemaine “had just played our best half of football for the year”. He would not discuss his previous charges, but said he was queried on a case last year that was “thrown out”.
Hamilton said the club could appeal if it felt the tribunal “had not done its duty”.
The club was also fined, and it was indicated it could lose premiership points should Robertson faced the tribunal again this year. Hamilton said it could only recommend that punishment to the league.
