Daniel Motlop beat a striking charge at the AFL tribunal on Tuesday night after West Coast Eagle Adam Hunter told the three-man jury the Power forward didn’t punch him in the head – as a goal umpire officiating in Sunday’s clash at Subiaco had told the panel just minutes earlier.
Motlop’s case – in which there was no video evidence – was the most interesting of a busy night at the AFL tribunal.
Last week the Power was outspoken in its criticism of Essendon after it believed speedster Andrew Lovett hadn’t helped its case in clearing ruckman Dean Brogan.
But a week later an opposition player’s evidence proved crucial, helping the Power keep one of their most important players out on the field.
Goal umpire Mike Spear said during Tuesday’s hearing that he was “100 per cent clear” he had witnessed Motlop strike Hunter when the pair were wrestling on the ground.
However the Eagle later said there had been “only pushing” and that he had been surprised when told a report had been laid.
Port Adelaide football manager Peter Rohde was thrilled when the three-man jury, which deliberated for about 10 minutes, returned with its verdict.
“It’s a difficult situation when there’s no video evidence and we fully understand that it’s difficult to get players off when that’s the case,” Rohde said.
“There’s a common perception out there that players look after each other.
“You know we spoke to Adam Hunter, as the AFL encouraged us to do yesterday, and he was very forthright in what he said to us and he was very forthright tonight and obviously he didn’t think there was anything there.
“We had trepidation coming to be honest because, you know, an umpire’s view is always held in very high esteem and we’re just very pleased with the way it went tonight.”
Motlop risked a possible two-match ban but is now free to play Melbourne this weekend.
Essendon crossed paths with the Power when Adam McPhee fronted the tribunal and the Bombers had a win of sorts when the forward had his striking charge downgraded from intentional to reckless.
While the jury found McPhee guilty of striking Fremantle’s Scott Thornton to the body, it reduced his points to a total of 187.5 meaning he will miss just one match instead of the three weeks he was facing with the intentional conduct charge.
Sydney Swan co-captain Brett Kirk and Brisbane Lion midfielder Luke Power will play against one another this week after both faced charges of making contact with a field umpire.
Kirk pleaded guilty to reckless conduct and his points reduced to 93.75 while also receiving a $1950 fine, while Power was more fortunate, beating a negligent conduct charge, after successfully arguing that Blues captain Chris Judd had contributed to his collision with field umpire Ray Chamberlain.
In the other case of the night, North Melbourne defender-turned-midfielder Michael Firrito successfully challenged his striking charge against Brad Johnson.
His charge drew 80 demerit points and a reprimand but he argued he was attempting to spoil and the jury agreed, meaning he will continue playing with a clean slate.
