West Coast midfielder Harley Reid has learned his fate at the AFL Tribunal.
Reid and the Eagles, who fought the ban handed down by the Match Review Officer on Sunday, had his two-game suspension upheld on Tuesday night.
The 19-year-old will miss West Coast’s fixtures against North Melbourne at Optus Stadium (Round 13) and Essendon at Marvel Stadium (Round 15).
Watch every game of every round this Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
$1.15
$5.50
*Odds are current as of 6th June 2024, 12:43am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
$1.55
$2.45
*Odds are current as of 6th June 2024, 12:43am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
$2.25
$1.65
*Odds are current as of 6th June 2024, 12:43am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
$1.30
$3.50
*Odds are current as of 6th June 2024, 12:43am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
$2.05
$1.77
*Odds are current as of 6th June 2024, 12:43am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
$1.30
$3.50
*Odds are current as of 6th June 2024, 12:43am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
$2.50
$1.53
*Odds are current as of 6th June 2024, 12:43am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
$1.80
$2.00
*Odds are current as of 6th June 2024, 12:43am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit.
Reid to challenge dangerous tackle | 00:33
On Sunday evening, MRO Michael Christian slapped the first-year sensation with a two-game ban for dangerously tackling St Kilda rookie Darcy Wilson, rendering Reid ineligible to win this year’s Rising Star award.
The incident was graded as careless conduct, high impact and high contact, resulting in the two-match sanction. West Coast’s legal experts argued that a grading of medium impact was more appropriate in an attempt to reduce the suspension to one match.
Reid’s anticipated hearing was scheduled to begin at 6:00pm AEST (4:00pm AWST) but was pushed back as a result of Rhylee West’s protracted hearing.
The burgeoning ball-winner did not give evidence on Tuesday night as West Coast felt it wasn’t necessary.
Sally Flynn (AFL) made specific use of “rotation”, “lifting” and “flinging” to describe Reid’s tackle of Wilson on Saturday.
Flynn said Reid used excessive force and made no attempt to slow the momentum of the tackle.
David Grace (West Coast) likened Reid’s tackle to Charlie Cameron’s on Jake Lever (Round 5; graded medium impact), Jaeger O’Meara’s on Charlie Spargo (Round 9; medium) and Tom Barrass’ on Michael Walters (Round 6; medium) in an attempt to convince the Tribunal that Reid’s act was no worse.
After a lengthy deliberation, the Tribunal chairperson deemed the MRO’s impact grading to be accurate — keeping the sanction at two matches.
Scroll down to read the full reasoning for the Tribunal’s decision.
Dusty 300th on hold because 'he's crook' | 00:40
Fox Footy expert and dual flag-winner David King scrutinised the tackle in commentary on Saturday.
“That’s a tackle we have to take out of the game,” he said after Reid dispossessed Wilson in crunching fashion.
“That’s the sling. (His) head hits the ground — it’s everything we don’t want. I’m sorry.
“The tackle, the action — it’s a problem for him.
“You’ve got to choose your path as an industry. I think we’ve made it well known that (tackle) is a no-no, and unfortunately it looks like this weekend we’ll have the two favourites for the Rising Star (Reid and Sam Darcy) ineligible.”
The 18-year-old Wilson — who shapes as one of the Rising Star betting favourites with Reid and Darcy ineligible — played out the remainder of the game.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Western Bulldogs challenged forward Rhylee West’s one-game suspension after bumping Collingwood defender Jeremy Howe on Friday night.
West copped a one-match ban for his act, with the MRO deeming it careless conduct, medium impact, high contact.
West’s forward-line Dogs teammate Darcy was also suspended last Friday, having since accepted a two-match ban after clattering into a backwards-moving Brayden Maynard.
The 23-year-old forward’s hearing began at 4:30pm AEST and concluded at 6:45pm AEST.
West pled not guilty to the rough conduct charge. The Bulldogs argued West’s conduct was not unreasonable in the circ*mstances, with the forward claiming his intent was to tackle Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard before realising the Magpie wasn’t going to take possession.
Sally Flynn, representing the AFL, said “the resultant conduct (against Howe) was unreasonable in the circ*mstances” despite West’s claim that his intention was to tackle Maynard.
Flynn said West’s act “had the potential to cause either a concussion or a broken jaw”.
Adrian Anderson (Bulldogs) likened West’s contact to Nic Newman’s glancing blow to Melbourne’s Alex Neal-Bullen in Round 9, which resulted in a fine.
After a one-hour deliberation, the Tribunal overturned West’s one-game ban. He will be available to play this Thursday against the Brisbane Lions.
Follow David Zita’s live coverage in the blow below! Link not working? Click here
