Hawthorn star James Sicily fronted the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night to contest a suspension for kicking.
He was ultimately successful, with his one-match ban downgraded to a fine.
The Hawks skipper initially copped a one-match suspension for making contact with his leg to the body of Essendon player Andrew McGrath.
The Sporting News has the latest.
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What was Hawthorn's appeal at the AFL Tribunal?
The Hawks argued that the impact should be graded as low, not medium.
The panel agreed, with Tribunal chairman Jeff Gleeson stating the risk of injury from the kick was "relatively low".
Sicily did plead guilty to the charge and was fined $2500, rather than picking up a suspension.
Why was James Sicily at the AFL Tribunal?
After giving away a free kick to Bombers utility Matt Guelfi in Round 1, Sicily was involved in a fracas with several Essendon players.
During the incident, Sicily's boot appeared to come into contact with the back of McGrath's legs as the Hawthorn defender pushed his opponent to the ground.
James Sicily has been handed a one-match suspension for this incident with Andrew McGrath.
— AFL (@AFL) March 17, 2024
Full Saturday MRO findings: https://t.co/FIWEwBwozj pic.twitter.com/rfWYJnWotJ
The incident was cited by the AFL Match Review Officer, who graded it as intentional conduct, medium impact and body contact, which equates to a one-match ban.
While speaking to SEN on Monday, McGrath stated he thought the incident was minor and he hoped Sicily's suspension would be overturned.
"After every incident, our club doctor calls us to see if there are any medical ramifications or any soreness, my report to him was that there's nothing – I've got no bruise, no nothing," McGrath said.
"Hopefully that stands up in the appeal, if there is one.
"It was pretty innocuous ... I didn't even really realise that he put his foot into the back of me, which suggests how severe the kick was. Not very at all.
"But they're stamping that out of the game and we'll see where that lands."
