STRATTON PINCH HIT

Hawks boss slams skipper as heavy ban looms

HAWTHORN chief executive Justin Reeves has condemned Ben Stratton’s pinching of Orazio Fantasia in an extraordinary censure before tomorrow night’s tribunal date.

Stratton faces multiple weeks of suspension for his pinching of Essendon’s Fantasia and also stomping on the foot of forward Shaun McKernan.

Stratton’s pinching charge was referred straight to the tribunal to help send a message the action is unacceptable at all levels of football across Australia.

Reeves said the Hawks captain had been spoken to and told that the club expected more of its senior leader.

It came as AFL commission boss Richard Goyder also weighed into the debate, saying “hopefully it will get dealt with properly” given community standards.

Former tribunal member Jimmy Bartel yesterday welcomed the direct referrals.

Bartel said it meant the Hawks captain had to explain his bizarre tactics publicly.

The tribunal will likely suspend Stratton for both acts, meaning he will miss games against fellow finals contenders Sydney and West Coast.

The MRO could have fined Stratton for his actions but, while there was video evidence of four pinches, the bruising on Fantasia proved he had been pinched up to a dozen times.

Instead of fining him $1200 for each of those pinches, it quickly decided to refer him, which also made clear the action is unacceptable.

Fantasia said on Friday night that Stratton had pinched him every time they played, with t he miserly defender twice suspended for punching Eddie Betts.

Reeves yesterday said the club did not condone Stratton’s actions.

“Ben is a very respected figure at our football club, but his actions on Friday night let himself and the club down,” Reeves said.

“His behaviour was certainly not reflective of how Hawthorn play and as our captain we expect more from him.

“We have spoken with Ben following the game and he is incredibly remorseful.

“We will work with Ben to ensure that this sort of behaviour is not repeated.”