RECAP: Fremantle Dockers successfully challenge captain Alex Pearce’s three-match rough conduct ban
Fremantle captain Alex Pearce’s three-match ban has been overturned at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday.
Pearce was offered a suspension for rough conduct following a collision that left Port Adelaide’s Darcy Byrne-Jones concussed during Saturday night’s clash at Optus Stadium.
The incident was graded careless conduct, severe impact and high contact, resulting in a sanction of three matches.
However, the AFl Tribunal have ruled in Pearce’s favour, dismissing the charges.
The Dockers will face Gold Coast before the bye, then North Melbourne and Essendon over the next month.
Recap proceedings in our blog.
The West poll
The West Australian put tonight’s question to the readers during the day and the response was overwhelming.
Hard done by
Coach Justion Longmuir revealed on Monday Pearce was feeling hard done by after the suspension and he was firm he didn’t think his skipper had done anything wrong.
The Dockers are likely to argue the clash was caused by a “footy incident” and that Pearce kept his eyes on the ball without bracing, thus protecting Byrne-Jones as much as he could have.
They might also argue there was no high contact but only time will tell.
Welcome!
It’s the day of judgment for Fremantle skipper Alex Pearce as he contests a three-match ban handed to him for a hit on Darcy Byrne-Jones.
The pair were both going for a mark in the heavy rain on Saturday night with Pearce clattering into the Power defender who got to the ball first.
Byrne-Jones was concussed and took no further part.
Can Pearce get off, or will the AFL’s argument prove too strong?
