AFL Riverina’s independent tribunal have handed out suspensions, fines and a coaching deregistration in a marathon five-hour hearing at AFL House on Thursday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The tribunal cracked down hard on the behaviour of players and spectators involved in a quarter-time brawl at the Riverina League game between Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong and Leeton-Whitton at Ganmain Sportsground on August 6.
Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong forward James Lawton’s football career is in jeopardy after being suspended for five games.
GGGM teammate Adam Cullen is suspended for six games, while Leeton-Whitton reserve grade player Lindsay Fysh is suspended for seven games.
GGGM reserve grade coach John Lawton was deregistered as a coach, effective immediately, and will be unable to lead his team’s finals campaign.
Former AFL Riverina board member and GGGM selector Jed Lawton is banned from attending any Riverina League game until round six, 2017, among other penalties.
Leeton-Whitton spectator Neil McCallum is banned from entering the field of play, or holding any position, until September 30, 2017.
Leeton-Whitton netballer Keira McCallum is banned from entering the field of play until June 30, 2017.
Both GGGM and Leeton-Whitton were issued with $2000 fines, $1000 of which is suspended.
The GGGM camp was devastated with the suspensions to the their two players.
“It’s a bit hard on the players, but we can’t complain about the club,” GGGM president Kent Steward said.
Jed Lawton, who stood down from positions on the AFL Riverina board and GGGM selection committee last week, took responsibility and said it was not the fault of the players.
Leeton-Whitton president Tim Carroll chose not to comment.
AFL Riverina plan to release a statement on Friday.
Tribunal penalties
JAMES LAWTON
- Suspended for five competition games
ADAM CULLEN
- Suspended for six competition games
LINDSAY FYSH
- Suspended for seven competition games
JED LAWTON
- Banned from entering the field of play, effective immediately, until September 30, 2017
- Banned from holding any position as an official, administrator or committee under AFL Riverina until September 30, 2017
- Banned from attending any Riverina League games for the balance of the 2016 season and until until round six, 2017
JOHN LAWTON
- To be deregistered as a coach, effective immediately and cannot reapply for coaching re-accreditation until September 30, 2017.
- Banned from entering the field of play, effective immediately, until September 30, 2017
NEIL McCALLUM
- Banned from entering the field of play, effective immediately until September 30, 2017
- Banned from holding any position as an official, administrator or committee under AFL RIverina, effective immediately, until September 30, 2017
KEIRA McCALLUM
- Banned from entering the field of play, effective immediately, until June 30, 2017
GGGM and LEETON-WHITTON FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUBS
- Fined $1000, and a suspended fine of $1000 which will be issued if any spectator or official breaks the AFL Riverina Code of Conduct in 2017
- Both clubs to employ two security guards for their home game against one another in 2017
- Prominent display of AFL Riverina Code of Conduct signs at all home games in 2017
