Hawthorn star Rioli banned for two games
Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli's AAMI Stadium brain snap is set to cost him only two matches, after the AFL match review panel ruled just one of a wild series of blows connected.
The Hawk speedster was cited for one charge of striking Port's Nick Salter and another of attempting to strike the same player.
The normally composed youngster is understood to have been provoked into his uncharacteristic behaviour after believing he copped a blow to the chin himself.
But he can be thankful his normally superb on-field timing was slightly off-kilter on Saturday, with the panel ignoring several more punches which missed their mark as a third-quarter scuffle erupted.
The striking charge was itself worth a one-match ban, while attempting to strike attracted only a reprimand.
But the combined points total for the two charges equates to a two-game sanction, or could stretch to three if he challenges both charges at the tribunal and fails.
However, the Hawks could challenge either one of the charges unsuccessfully and still lose Rioli for only two games, which might make a tribunal bid worth the gamble.
Rioli's penalty is light compared to that for St Kilda hard man Steven Baker, who copped a nine-week ban earlier this year after being booked for multiple offences against Geelong's Steve Johnson in round 13.
Baker was hit with three striking charges, as well as one for misconduct, and was also hurt by a 50 per cent loading for a poor prior record, while Rioli had no applicable record.
The Hawks midfielder-forward was also one of nine players - five from Hawthorn and four from the Power - fined for engaging in a melee, with Salter also among them.
No other suspensions were handed out from a weekend in which charges were laid against 16 players.
Injured Brisbane spearhead Brendan Fevola was hit with the biggest financial penalty, fined $3,000 for putting Melbourne defender Colin Garland in a headlock at the Gabba on Saturday night.
West Coast's Eric Mackenzie can accept a reprimand for striking Fremantle's Michael Johnson in Sunday's derby at Subiaco.
Four other players from that match were fined for wrestling - Fremantle's Adam McPhee grappling with Eagle Patrick McGinnity and West Coast's Scott Selwood tangling with Docker Stephen Hill.
The other player charged from round 18 was St Kilda's Sean Dempster, fined for making negligent contact with an umpire.
Post a comment about this article
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.