Border Mail |
A NORTH Albury thirds player was last night suspended for seven matches after an investigation into an ugly incident that saw a spectator strike a player.
Josh Palmer, 17, was handed a nine-match ban for what the tribunal described as a “exceptionally aggravating” situation where the youngster struck an Albury player at three-quarter-time in a match Palmer was not involved in.
Two of those matches were suspended.
Palmer, who has been de-registered by the Hoppers and hasn’t played for the club since June, was charged with unbecoming conduct following a lengthy investigation by AFL Victoria Country.
Palmer, who pleaded guilty to the charge, admitted he struck the player in unprovoked fashion after entering the field at the final change of the Hoppers’ under-18s clash with the Tigers at Bunton Park on July 13.
There was a melee at the time.
Palmer, who had no tribunal history, said he had not been back to Bunton Park since.
He was represented at the tribunal by Hoppers’ president Paul Spencer.
Four witnesses gave evidence, with the tribunal and investigator Kevin Mayhew both commending Palmer on his honesty.
Mayhew said it was clear Palmer had shown remorse for what happened.
The offended player suffered minimal injury, however, the tribunal said the fact that Palmer was not actually involved in the game was exceptionally aggravating.
Spencer said the club had dealt with the incident internally and that it had a strict policy in regards to spectators involving themselves with players.
Palmer had already been stood down by North Albury for the rest of the year and said he planned to play at Jindera, in the Hume league, next year.
He will miss the first month of next season, regardless.
He played five games for the Hoppers.
