SAINTS GO FOR SINNER
Bitter grand final feud may not be over as club looks to appeal
ST VIRGILS is considering appealing against a six-match ban on OHA’s Ray Hill for an offthe-ball hit that sent its star playing-coach Jaye Bowden to hospital with concussion.
A total of 14 matches was handed out to two players by AFL Tasmania’s Match Review Office for incidents in the Old Scholars grand final between OHA and St Virgils on Saturday.
Hill was originally given four matches for a behind-theplay incident that left Bowden concussed and unable to continue after half-time.
That was doubled to eight matches when the MRO applied its 100 per cent loading for offences in a grand final, and subsequently reduced to six with an early guilty plea.
However, that may not be enough to please St Virgils.
St Virgils president Joel Berry said his club was considering an appeal against the six-match Hill suspension.
“We are currently exploring our options within the guidelines for having it regraded from high grade to severe contact,” Berry said.
Hill was not the only player suspended. The Saints’ Trad Duggan copped three matches for rough conduct against Hill in the third quarter, which left the OHA player concussed and unable to continue playing.
Duggan’s punishment was doubled to six matches with the grand final loading, and reduced to four matches with an early guilty plea.
Both clubs confirmed their player had accepted the early guilty penalties.
Bowden and Hill were so badly concussed neither had recollection of their incidents.
They ended up in hospital in the same department, neither of them sure about the reasons that put them there.
OHA said in a statement Hill had been subject to abuse and threats since the weekend that were unacceptable.
“He has played in both the TSL and OSFA over several years and has never been reported in his life,” the statement said.
“Since Saturday, our player has received threats and has been affected by the abuse he has received.
“It is very disappointing that people feel that it is OK to abuse and threaten another person.
We as a club will continue to stand by and support our player.”
One message to Hill said “you now have a target on your head”. Others were not fit for publication.
“It is absolutely disgusting that this sort of thing has been sent and is taking a real toll on the already frayed mental health of our player,” OHA said.
Old Scholars president Mark Heathcote did not return calls from the Mercury.