IRYMPLE defensive gun Justin Robinson and Ouyen United’s influential Oscar Smith are free to play in this weekend’s SFNL senior football finals after being cleared at the judiciary on Wednesday night.
Robinson successfully challenged a two-match penalty for an alleged intentional strike against an unnamed opponent last Saturday, ensuring he’s available for selection in the top-placed Swallows’ qualifying final against second-placed Wentworth this weekend.
The first-year Swallow has been in stellar form since switching from half forward to half back midway through the season.
He was sent off late in the Swallows’ 88-point win against Red Cliffs last weekend.
“Robinson was reported for striking an unknown player, which caused a grey area because there was no offended against player there to give evidence,” SFNL executive officer Peter Walker said.
“The umpire gave his evidence and (Robinson) gave his version, and none of that was really captured on the game-day video.
“There was a bit of a tussle and melee, but the video evidence was inconclusive.
“The tribunal took a little while to make a determination, but they came up with a not guilty finding.”
Smith was reported for allegedly engaging in rough conduct with Mildura’s Sam Gorman in the Kangas’ 44-point win last weekend.
“Evidence was given (at the judiciary) by the reported player, but the offended player and his advocate did not front,” Walker said.
“The evidence showed the damage was done in the tackle, but there was enough evidence to show it wasn’t dangerous.
“Both players came to the ground together, but it was the way the Mildura player (Gorman) fell that caused an injury.
“There was a (league) directive sent out to umpires and clubs that in the event of a tackle where a player is injured, the umpires are obligated to lay a report and it then goes to the tribunal.”
Mildura’s Max Curran will miss this weekend’s Under-18 elimination final against South Mildura on Sunday after copping a one-game ban for intentionally striking an Ouyen player in an off-the-ball incident last weekend.
The initial two-match penalty was downgraded because of Curran’s clean record.
Red Cliffs’ Jay Turlan accepted one-match penalty for carelessly striking Irymple’s Tom Brownbridge last weekend.
Two other matters, involving South Mildura’s Joseph Zappia and Merbein defender Harley Cole, were put on hold because their teams are not playing in the finals.
