Demons fuming at veteran’s ban

NORTH Hobart is furious at a TSL tribunal ruling that has left suspended veteran Oliver Di Venuto with only two more games to play before the end of his career.

But coach Richard Robinson said the Demons must accept the decision and move on.

On the eve of North Hobart’s Round 16 clash with Glenorchy at North Hobart Oval tomorrow, Robinson said there was now confusion for all State League players about how to commit to the contest.

“Absolutely. Our club had a lot of concussions last year because of how young we are, so we had to teach our players how to protect themselves when they go for the ball,” Robinson said.

“Our concussion rate has been reduced this year as a result of how we’ve trained the boys, because going in head-first is dangerous.

“We need to get clarification from AFL Tasmania on how to coach our players on how to attack a contest and how Ollie could have approached that contest, because at the moment we can’t be sure.”

Di Venuto, 36, fought the law and the law won when he challenged his suspension at the tribunal on Tuesday night for causing “head-high” contact with Lauderdale’s Josh McGuinness at Lauderdale Oval on Saturday.

The high-speed collision left both players concussed and unable to play this week, regardless of Di Venuto’s suspension. On Monday the Match Review Panel found “Diva” responsible for the crash and gave him a three-match ban, reduced to two with an early plea.

North Hobart challenged the ban at the tribunal, which upheld the MRP decision and the threematch penalty stood.

“He’s done an amazing job for this young group,” Robinson said.

“He’s got a wife, a mortgage and a young child, and he’s out there busting his backside for our footy club teaching these young guys along the way.

“That clash on Saturday indicates just how much he cares for the club and he’s setting an example on how we need to play, and I also applaud the courage of Josh McGuinness.

“I would be hoping Ollie would still have a game of senior footy before the year is out.”

Glenorchy’s Jaye Bowden (hamstring) will have a fitness test today, while Liam Smith returns.