GEELONG runner Nigel Lappin has been fined $2000 for running into Carlton's Mitch Robinson during the frantic finish to last Friday's clash between the Cats and Blues at Etihad Stadium.
However, Lappin's fine is suspended, so if he stays out of trouble for 12 months, he won't need to hand over the cash.
Lappin walked front-on into Robinson's path with just 13 seconds remaining on the clock, prompting the fiery midfielder to push Lappin away.
"The AFL accepts that the Geelong runner stumbled after tripping on the foot of a Geelong player and inadvertently moved into the path of an opposition Carlton player, but all club officials must not put themselves in any position where they may interefere with the duties of an umpire or an opposition player’s role in the game," AFL general manager of football operations Mark Evans
The contact took place after a ball-up had been called at the top of Carlton's goalsquare, but Blues coach Mick Malthouse was in no doubt a free kick should have been paid to Robinson.
"Our player can't get to the football," Malthouse said. "It should have been a free kick then, shouldn't it?"
Yet the day after the game, umpires boss Wayne Campbell said a free kick was not warranted.
"We would charge it's not a free kick," Campbell told SEN radio.
"But whether it then goes to footy operations on a Monday, and they have a look at it as to whether we have made the wrong call or whether he has impacted the play.
"Certainly, from an umpiring point of view, we don’t think he impacted the play because it was at a stoppage."
