Cats appeal rival’s ban
GOLD Coast QAFL club Broadbeach have lodged an appeal over what the Cats say is insufficient punishment given to Palm Beach-Currumbin skipper Jesse Derrick.
Derrick was the subject of a video referral stemming from a tackle he made during the qualifying final between PBC and Broadbeach at Salk Oval over the weekend.
Broadbeach player Robert Blood was knocked out when his head hit the hard surface in what was deemed a slinging motion by Derrick.
A QAFL video review panel deemed Derrick’s action as a grade-three offence that carried an automatic three-match suspension.
Derrick was offered two weeks with an early guilty plea but the Lions successfully argued that the penalty should be reduced to just one match given Derrick’s exemplary playing record – he had never been reported in 250-plus games.
That decision has angered Broadbeach officials who yesterday lodged an appeal with the governing body against the length of the revised penalty.
“It’s manifestly inadequate,” one Broadbeach official said of the appeal lodgement.
An official club statement read: “The club has received emails and phone calls from concerned supporters in regard the leniency of the suspension handed down to Jesse Derrick who pleaded guilty.
“As a sign of support the club has undertaken to appeal the suspension term (of one week).”
Blood spent six hours in hospital on Sunday and had scans that showed he had sustained swelling and bruising in his head.
Broadbeach lost the final to PBC after leading until deep into time-on in the fourth quarter.
The Cats will now host Morningside in the first semifinal at Ord Minnett Oval on Sunday.
PBC play defending premiers Labrador in the second semi-final at Cooke-Murphy Oval on Saturday when a place in the grand final is up for grabs.
Events at the appeal, to be held in Brisbane on Wednesday night, will determine whether or not Derrick’s season is over.
He will definitely miss this weekend and then, depending on Broadbeach’s appeal, could also be ruled out of a preliminary final if the Lions lose to Labrador.
Should PBC win this weekend and go into the grand final, Derrick could also miss that big match if his original two-match penalty is invoked as a result of the appeal.