Shepparton news | Star forward Josh Mellington will be part of Benalla's bid to end a 42-year premiership drought after an appeal against a season-ending suspension was successful in Melbourne tonight.
The AFL Victoria Country Appeals Board unanimously decided to overturn Mellington's two-week sentence for charging Euroa's Jacob Gleeson in last Saturday's Goulburn Valley Football League game at Benalla Showgrounds.
Renowned AFL advocate Iain Findlay was successfully able to argue Mellington was not guilty of charging Gleeson after a hearing that went for more than an hour at IKON Park, formerly Princes Park in Carlton.
Mellington, the league's leading goal-kicker this season with 95 goals, will line-up for the Saints tomorrow as they take on minor premier Rochester in the qualifying final.
The former AFL player was clearly relieved after the final verdict was read out and was supported at the tribunal by some Benalla faithful, including president Bruce Biggs and reigning Morrison Medallist Will Martiniello.
"My heart is still racing, but it’s just a massive relief," Mellington said.
"With what happened last year (in losing a grand final) it was heartbreaking thinking I wouldn't be part of us having another crack, but fortunately the appeal went our way.
"We had the right legal representation and I was always adamant I was not guilty and the tribunal here believed that."
Mellington had a four-game suspended sentence applied to his name until the end of next season after being found guilty of striking Seymour's Paul Colbert in round two.
That penalty went on top of the ban he received on Wednesday night at the GVFL independent tribunal, meaning Mellington was facing six games on the sidelines before the appeal was overturned.
Goulburn Valley Football Umpires Association president Darren Meek, who was the officiating umpire who reported Mellington for the incident against Gleeson, gave evidence before the Appeals Board tribunal.
"As an umpire, that calibre of incident is what a charge is," Meek said.
"Mellington had multiple options open to him rather than bump player Gleeson."
Gleeson, who was present in the room as a witness, said he suffered amnesia and could not remember anything directly prior to being taken off the field in the third quarter.
The Euroa player said he was still suffering effects from the concussion and a sore neck.
Findlay was able to argue Gleeson's injuries were not as a direct result from the contact with Mellington, rather that the damage happened during a "whiplash" head clash with Benalla player Sam Martyn.
Martyn was called via phone as a witness where he told the tribunal he had "never suffered a knock like it" as he was forced to visit a dentist for work on his teeth during the week, despite wearing a mouthguard during the collision.
By Oliver Caffrey
