AFL Tribunal: Pickett, Plowman fail to overturn bans

Richmond’s Marlion Pickett will serve his one-game AFL suspension after failing to get his striking charge downgraded.

The dual Tigers premiership player challenged the severity of his punishment for felling Brisbane defender Brandon Starcevich at the Gabba on Friday night.

The AFL is back! Time to test your footy know-how against your friends, family and coworkers. Set up or join a tipping competition NOW!

• Tip now at ESPNfootytips• Round table — New rules?• Crowds are back in Victoria!• Get AFL news and more in your inbox• Head to ESPN’s Home of AFL

TIP NOW

Pickett pleaded guilty to the striking charge but was after a low-grade impact instead of medium at the AFL tribunal.

“This wasn’t some kind of wild swinging motion but it was in a manner of someone attempting a legitimate tackle,” Richmond lawyer Sam Tovey told the tribunal.

“Pickett isn’t lucky there wasn’t further injury, but he was unlucky to get Starcevich high at all.”

The jury deliberated for 15 minutes before agreeing with the match review officer’s verdict of medium.

Pickett will miss Richmond’s game against Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday.

Carlton Blues’ Lachie Plowman and Hawthorn’s Jaeger O’Meara collide going for a mark Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Earlier, Carlton defender Lachie Plowman failed to overturn a two-game suspension for concussing Hawthorn star Jaeger O’Meara.

After deliberating for 35 minutes, the tribunal jury upheld the rough conduct charge from the last quarter of Saturday’s match at the MCG.

The AFL’s legal counsel Jeff Gleeson argued it was not reasonable for Plowman to contest the ball and he had a duty of care to protect O’Meara.

The Hawks vice-captain was assisted from the field and will miss this week’s game against Gold Coast under concussion protocols.

Carlton lawyer Peter O’Farrell stressed contact was incidental and part of a reasonable attempt by Plowman in the marking contest.

The hearing became heated when tribunal chairman Ross Howie told the jury they could not consider it a marking contest, which O’Farrell strongly disagreed with.

After the jury’s guilty verdict, O’Farrell pleaded for them to consider exceptional circumstances because of Plowman’s “exemplary” record during his career and reduce the two-game ban.

But that was of little help to the 26-year-old, who will still miss games against Sydney and West Coast.

Carlton will consider appealing the decision.

There remains one tribunal hearing on Tuesday night with Gold Coast utility Nick Holman to follow.

Holman is challenging a two-game suspension for a dangerous tackle on Geelong star Mitch Duncan.