Pies lose Webb and Mott to bans

PREMIERSHIP contender Glenorchy has been left reeling after the TSL Match Review Panel suspended captain Brayden Webb and key onballer Rhys Mott ahead of the qualifying final against Launceston at Blundstone Arena on Saturday.

Launceston also got slugged, with its most damaging user of the ball by foot, onballer Jake Hinds, suspended for two matches.

The MRP judged that Webb’s tackle on Launceston player Brodie Palfreyman was careless, with low impact to the body, but said it was dangerous because of “the potential to cause serious injury due to the close proximity of the boundary fence”.

Webb can escape his onematch suspension with an early plea of guilty before 9am today.

Hinds copped a two-match suspension for a head-high hit on Mott in a marking contest at Windsor Park on Saturday.

The MRP said it was “careless” contact, and that “due to a suspension in Round 1, player Hinds has received an additional one match”.

Hinds can have his penalty reduced from two to onematch with an early plea of guilty before 9am.

Mott appeared to be the unluckiest player of the final round. He was slapped with a one-match suspension, increased to two matches for hitting Michael Woods (North Hobart) in Round 4, for what appeared to be accidentally kicking Launceston’s Jake Smith.

Footage showed Smith pushing Mott away from him at a stoppage, and Mott throwing out his left leg in a bid to maintain his balance, and collecting his opponent where it hurts.

The MRP judged Mott’s actions were “careless with low impact to the groin”.

Mott can have his sanction halved from two to one match, but they will both miss the qualifying final unless their clubs successfully challenge.

North Launceston player Arion Richter-Salter was referred for making contact to the groin of Thor Boscott (Lauderdale) in their clash at Lauderdale Oval.

Richter-Salter will face the TSL tribunal tonight.