West Coast defender Tom Barrass’s attempt to overturn his one-match suspension for a dangerous tackle has been unsuccessful. The AFL Tribunal, after deliberating for over an hour, upheld the original medium impact grading of the incident. The tribunal chair, Renee Enbom, stated that Barrass’s tackle posed a significant potential for head or neck injury due to the excessive force, arm pinning, and forceful rotation involved.
West Coast’s defense, led by counsel David Grace, argued that Barrass’s clean on-field record and exemplary work in the community should invoke the AFL’s exceptional and compelling circumstances clause, reducing the ban to a fine. However, the tribunal did not find the circumstances compelling enough to warrant such a reduction.
The decision comes after the AFL Tribunal downgraded Brisbane forward Charlie Cameron’s one-match ban for a dangerous tackle to a fine last week, citing his clean playing record and off-field character assessments. West Coast hoped to use the Cameron case as a precedent, but the tribunal emphasized that each case is decided on its own merits.
West Coast General Manager of Football Gavin Bell expressed disappointment with the outcome and stated that the club would move forward and prepare for their upcoming match against Gold Coast.
