AFL Match Review: James Sicily finally learns fate, while Lachie Whitfield accepts ban

Kieran Francis

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AFL Match Review: James Sicily finally learns fate, while Lachie Whitfield accepts ban image

James Sicily has finally learned his fate after appealing the Tribunal's findings for his tackle which resulted in him initially copping a three-game ban. 

Hawthorn's last-ditch effort to get their captain off the charge involved them claiming to the AFL Appeal Board that there were several errors of law made last week during the decision-making process. 

The Sporting News wraps up all the match review panel and tribunal news for round 14.

James Sicily ban upheld for Hugh McCluggage tackle

Sicily's case was heard on Monday, June 19 - nine days after the tackle occurred - where his ban was eventually upheld after a marathon hearing. 

He was appealing against his suspension for rough conduct on Brisbane's Hugh McCluggage but will now miss his side's matches against Gold Coast, Carlton and GWS as a result of the ban. 

"The video is ambiguous," Will Houghton argued for the Hawks. 

"It doesn’t tell you one way or the other whether Sicily was pulling on that arm.

"Sicily was conducting a legal tackle at the time. It’s very unfortunate McCluggage suffered an injury, but we must also keep in mind that tackle resulted in a free kick to Sicily."

However, the AFL countered that the Tribunal had taken into account multiple factors before reaching their conclusion and that they hadn't made several errors of law, as claimed by Hawthorn. 

The Hawks had argued that there were 'several errors of law' and a 'serious breach of procedural fairness' by the AFL Tribunal, while also claiming evidence from a biomechanist was ignored.

Matthew Cottrell cops one-match ban

Carlton's Matthew Cottrell has been issued with a one-match suspension for a tackle in the fourth quarter of his side's win over the Gold Coast Suns. 

The AFL Match Review deemed his contact on Ben Long to have been careless conduct, medium impact and high contact. 

Due to the Blues having the bye in Round 16, Cottrell won't be available until Carlton's meeting with Fremantle in a fortnight, if he accepts the ban. 

Lachie Whitfield accepts one-match ban for tackle

GWS gun Lachie Whitfield faced scrutiny from the AFL Match Review for his tackle on Fremantle's Jordan Clark.

Whitfield was been charged with rough conduct for his tackle and will miss one match after accepting his ban.

Just before half-time on Saturday, Whitfield drove Clark into the ground and spun the Docker in the tackle.

A free kick was awarded, and after initially appearing groggy, Clark continued on for the rest of the match with no issue.

In 2023, 21 players have been suspended for dangerous tackles.

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera fined for striking

Wanganeen-Milera has dodged suspension after his striking incident on Richmond's Daniel Rioli. 

The matter was graded as careless conduct, low impact and high contact.

The St Kilda youngster can pay a $2,000 fine with an early plea.

Jarrod Berry cleared after Will Hayward tackle

The AFL MRP cleared Brisbane's Jarrod Berry for a tackle on Sydney's Will Hayward that was the subject of a matchday report from the umpire.

AFL MRP explanation: The matchday report laid against the Brisbane Lions’ Jarrod Berry from the third quarter of Friday’s game between the Brisbane Lions and the Sydney Swans was assessed.

Will Hayward takes possession of ball on the wing and is tackled by Berry.

It was the view of the MRO that Berry discharged his duty of care in the manner he took Hayward to ground and that his actions were not unreasonable in the circumstances.

No further action was taken.

Sam Wicks cops two-week ban for hit on Ryan Lester

Sydney utility Sam Wicks has been offered a two-game suspension for his strike on Brisbane's Ryan Lester.

Wicks caught Lester in the neck with his elbow after the Lion kicked the ball in the second quarter.

The incident was assessed careless conduct, high impact and high contact - resulting in two weeks on the sidelines.

It's unlikely the Swans will contest the punishment.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.