In a disappointing outcome for the West Coast Eagles, their efforts to appeal Tom Barrass’ one-match suspension were unsuccessful at the AFL tribunal on Wednesday afternoon.
Barrass, a key defender for the Eagles, was initially handed the suspension for rough conduct following a tackle on Fremantle Dockers’ forward Michael Walters during the intense western derby clash last Saturday.
The incident occurred during the final quarter of the match, which saw the Eagles secure a 37-point victory over their cross-town rivals. However, amidst the celebrations, Barrass found himself at the center of controversy as match review officer Michael Christian deemed his tackle on Walters to be careless conduct with medium impact and high contact.
Despite Walters emerging unscathed from the tackle and continuing to play until the final siren, the severity of the penalty was a cause for concern for the Eagles. They sought to have the impact grading of the charge downgraded to low, which would have resulted in a fine for Barrass rather than a suspension.
The Eagles’ case at the tribunal included references to Barrass’ character and personal circumstances, with mentions of his fiancé, two young children, and his involvement in philanthropic activities. Additionally, character references from teammates like Jeremy McGovern and former Eagles chair Russell Gibbs were presented to bolster Barrass’ case.
During the hearing, Barrass himself emphasized his concern for Walters’ well-being, noting that he had repeatedly checked on him following the incident. He recounted positive interactions with Walters both during and after the match, highlighting a friendly exchange and a handshake indicating no ill will.
However, the AFL’s representative, Adrian Anderson, argued that despite Walters having one arm free during the tackle, it was not enough to prevent forceful contact with the ground. Anderson suggested that if Walters had more freedom of movement or if less force had been applied, the impact grading could have been downgraded, leading to a different outcome for Barrass.
After over an hour of deliberation, the tribunal upheld Barrass’ suspension, meaning he will be sidelined for the Eagles’ upcoming round-seven clash against the Gold Coast Suns. This decision comes in the wake of other recent tribunal outcomes, including Jesse Hogan being cleared of striking charges and Toby Greene’s unsuccessful appeal against head-high contact charges.
For the West Coast Eagles, the tribunal’s ruling serves as a setback as they prepare for their upcoming match without one of their key defensive players. It underscores the challenges and uncertainties that teams face in navigating the AFL’s disciplinary processes, where outcomes can have significant implications for player availability and team performance.
