WHILE Red Cliffs have celebrated their first win of the Sunraysia Football and Netball League (SFNL) 2021 season, the future of their midfielder John Jackson is up in the air.
The multiple premiership player will face the SFNL tribunal on Wednesday after being reported for striking during the Tigers’ win over Robinvale Euston at John James Oval. Boundary umpire Ashley Kerridge cited Jackson for striking Andrew Richardson with an elbow during the second quarter.
Jackson has previously been de-registered from the competition after accumulating a combined 16 weeks of suspension, a rule commonplace in regional football leagues across Australia. Jackson had been re-registered following an appeal, however a guilty verdict this week could see him de-registered again.
Jackson and Red Cliffs requested the case be heard by the independent tribunal. Jackson’s teammate Jonty Marciano was also reported during the game for striking an unknown opponent during the first quarter by field umpire Joshua Leske.
It was a busy day for the umpires at John James Oval, with a number of reports being made across multiple games.
In the reserves, Mac Turlan of Red Cliffs was reported for “bumping or making forceful contact from front on when that player has their head down over the ball” against Jesse McGinty during the third quarter.
He was reported by field umpire Pat Deluca with the case sent directly to a tribunal hearing.
During the Under-18 contest, Robinvale Euston duo Marcus Chirchiglia and Zac Leslie were both cited for striking and will also face the tribunal.
Chirchiglia was reported by field umpire Jamie Rodgers and goal umpire David Heath for intentionally striking Toby Wise (Red Cliffs) during the first quarter.
Leslie was reported by field umpire Joshua Leslie for intentionally striking Jack Turlan (Red Cliffs) during the fourth quarter.
