Collingwood's Thomas given two-game ban - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Collingwood's Thomas given two-game ban

Greg Buckle 29/08/2011 07:23:21 PM Comments (0)

Collingwood's Dale Thomas could miss the qualifying final against West Coast after the star midfielder was offered a two-match ban by the AFL's match review panel.

The front-on contact made by Thomas against Fremantle's Garrick Ibbotson during the first quarter of Friday night's round-23 match at Patersons Stadium was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points).

The panel announced a level-two charge with 225 demerit points and a two-match sanction.

Thomas served a one-match striking ban earlier this season which increases his penalty by 10 per cent to 247.50 points.

The third placegetter in last year's Copeland Trophy also has 68.75 demerit points carried over in the past 12 months, increasing the penalty to 316.25 points and a three-match sanction.

An early plea on Tuesday morning would reduce the sanction by 25 per cent to 237.19 points and a two-match ban.

Thomas, who is ranked eighth in the league for kicks per game with an average of 16.3, is set to miss Friday night's round-24 blockbuster against second-placed Geelong and the qualifying final.

If Thomas accepts a two-game ban and Collingwood beat the Eagles, the Magpies would earn a week off.

Thomas would run the risk of being short of match conditioning following three consecutive weekends off before returning in a cut-throat preliminary final on September 23 or 24.

However, if the Magpies unsuccessfully contested the ban, the 24-year-old Thomas would potentially miss three games over a four-week period and wouldn't be back in action until grand final day on October 1, should the Magpies qualify.

North Melbourne's Jack Ziebell has been offered a three-match ban for making forceful front-on contact against St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt.

Ziebell's clumsy challenge infuriated the St Kilda players who remonstrated with the young midfielder during Saturday night's Etihad Stadium clash.

Saints utility Brendon Goddard said: "His intent wasn't really at the footy."

Kangaroos president James Brayshaw strongly defended Ziebell on Monday.

"There was a suggestion in what was said that Jack Ziebell doesn't focus on the ball and go for it when it's his turn and that is incorrect on every level," Brayshaw told Triple M Radio.

North's Levi Greenwood can accept a one-match ban for front-on contact with David Armitage.

Armitage is facing a one-game ban for rough contact against North's Leigh Adams.

Goddard's contact with North skipper Brent Harvey during Saturday night's game at Etihad Stadium was deemed not reportable by the match review panel because the blow contained insufficient force.

Fremantle's Nick Lower can accept a three-game suspension for making forceful front-on contact with Thomas.

The match-day report against West Coast forward Josh Kennedy for striking Brisbane's Mitch Golby during a marking contest has been withdrawn.

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