St Kilda avoid trip to tribunal
St Kilda have avoided strife with the AFL's judicial system, as small forward Stephen Milne had his striking report withdrawn by the match review panel.
Milne was booked for a clash with Sydney's Jared Crouch at the SCG on Saturday night, but the panel deemed the contact did not constitute a strike.
The reprieve is a great result for the Saints. Milne has booted 36 goals in another strong season, and the ladder leaders play Hawthorn in Launceston on Saturday in what should be their biggest remaining hurdle in their bid to go through the season unbeaten.
Aspiring finalists Port Adelaide had mixed news, as utility Chad Cornes was cleared of any wrongdoing following his collision with an umpire in Sunday's win over the Hawks at AAMI Stadium, but teammate Matt Thomas was suspended for two games.
Cornes was cleared because the panel ruled umpire Shaun Ryan moved into the Port star's path, and that the player attempted to minimise contact at the last moment.
But Thomas paid the price for a bad record, which inflated demerit-points tally when the panel came to assess a charge of engaging in rough conduct on Hawk Xavier Ellis.
Thomas' offence drew 125 demerit points and the chance to escape with a reprimand through a guilty plea.
But his previous suspension of three games in the past three years, combined with carry-over points, took the tally to 215.63 points and a two-game suspension.
Thomas can reduce that to 161.72 points and a one match out, but the only way he can play Fremantle on Sunday at Subiaco Oval is by beating the charge at the tribunal on Tuesday night.
Fremantle's Hayden Ballantyne was also suspended for two games, for making forceful, front-on contact on the Western Bulldogs' Liam Picken at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, but he can reduce the penalty to one game with an early guilty plea.
Richmond's Jake King was fined $2,400 for wrestling Melbourne's Aaron Davey at the MCG on Sunday, but can reduce that to $1,800 with a guilty plea.
Davey was reported for wrestling King, but the panel threw out the charge because it ruled the Tiger instigated the wrestle and the Demon was passive throughout.
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