Bombers’ mercy plea

LAUDERDALE has appealed against the two-game ban that would have ended a “distraught” Jordan Roberts’ immediate career.

Roberts was banned for two games for a dangerous tackle on Clarence’s Wade Wall and the suspension pushed him past the 16-game threshold, resulting in an immediate deregistration.

The matter will be heard by an appeals panel headed by the TSL arbitrator at a date to be confirmed. Roberts was banned by the TSL tribunal on Wednesday night.

Bombers football director Andrew McGuinness said the club believed the tribunal did not consider all aspects of the evidence from its advocate.

“We are going to argue there needs to be more consideration given to the role that the other player played in that tackle,” McGuinness said.

The arbitrator could dismiss the appeal before it is heard if he or she believes it is not sufficient to warrant an appeal.

Roberts was suspended for six games last year on another dangerous tackle charge, this time on Launceston’s Stewart Williams in Round 13.

McGuinness said the very real threat of deregistration was having a severe adverse effect on Roberts.

“From an emotional perspective he’s pretty distraught and there are a lot of players within our club who are very upset, too, basically because he’s a really nice kid,” he said.

“He’s a talented young footballer and it is just really disappointing . . . this is going to wipe him out of footy for 12 monthsplus potentially.”

Charges needed to be decided case by case, not with the threat of a mandatory deregistration.

“The intent of this rule is to wipe out people who king hit players behind play and stuff like that,” McGuinness said.

“I’m certainly not condoning dangerous tackles but certainly Jordan is not a thug.

“It is just disappointing there is not some flexibility in these arrangements.”

Lauderdale plays Glenorchy tomorrow at KGV Oval, and regains Josh McGuinness and Robbie McManus, who have served one-match bans for suspensions arising from last year’s grand final.