Danger alert: Patrick to weigh up ban appeal
GEELONG were last night weighing up legal advice on a possible tribunal appeal against the ban that has knocked Patrick Dangerfield out of contention for consecutive Brownlow Medals.
The Geelong superstar was yesterday charged with rough conduct and hit with a two- match suspension – reduced to one week with a guilty plea – for his heavy tackle that left Carlton ruck Matthew Kreuzer concussed and out of the game.
Dangerfield faces a twoweek stint on the sidelines just a month out from finals should he elect to appeal at tonight’s AFL tribunal and fail. The Cats have until 11am today to decide whether to roll the dice.
The match review panel deemed the Dangerfield tackle to be careless, medium impact and to the head.
A medical report from the Blues was considered by the panel – former players Jason Johnson, Nathan Burke and Michael Jamison.
Geelong engaged a Queen’s Counsel to assess the likelihood an appeal would succeed.
“We are awaiting advice before deciding whether to challenge at the tribunal,” a Cats spokesman said last night.
Former Cats captain Andrew Bews lashed the decision.
“Congratulations to the @AFL nanny state comp of the year,” he wrote on Twitter. “MRP a complete farce.” Opinion among fans was divided with 55 per cent in a couriermail.com.au poll saying the penalty was deserved.
In challenging, Dangerfield would risk a two-week suspension that would see him sidelined not only for Friday night’s clash with Sydney, but the team’s Round 21 blockbuster against Richmond.
The Geelong superstar last night conceded the situation “is not ideal”.