Lion gets match ban for striking

BRISBANE midfielder Nick Robertson has been suspended for one match for striking.

Robertson will miss the Lions’ clash with Collingwood at the Gabba on Sunday after copping the ban for illegal contact against Giants forward Harrison Himmelberg.

Robertson will be joined on the sidelines by ex-Lions ruckman Matthew Leuenberger, with the Bomber suspended for striking Melbourne’s Max Gawn.

After stinging criticism on the purpose of match-day reports from Geelong coach Chris Scott, Cats speedster Jordan Murdoch’s rough conduct report was one of two that was thrown out by match review officer Michael Christian.

Scott said the match-day reports were unnecessary considering all games were scrutinised on replay anyway by the league.

Christian said the matchday reports were important to help umpires to keep control of games, as well as provide another view of serious incidents.

“From our perspective on match review it is always helpful to get the view from the umpire,” Christian said.

“The other aspect is around control of games. In that type of situation where things can get out of control, once an umpire says to a player that he is reported I think that helps quell any potential melee.

“So I think that is useful as a tool. Is it important? From the role that I’m involved in, yes.”

Richmond’s Dustin Martin was fined $1000 for making “significant contact” with an umpire on Sunday.

Martin was one of five players fined $1000 for making contact with an umpire across the weekend.

Heavy contact with umpires would not be tolerated, Christian said.