Lachie Neale's AFL Grand Final Hopes: The Clause That Could Save Him
Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale faces a challenge to his one-game suspension for striking Hawthorn's Jack Ginnivan in last Saturday night's preliminary final. The Lions will argue that Neale's exemplary record constitutes "exceptional and compelling circumstances" to avoid a ban.
A clause in the AFL's laws could potentially save Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale from being suspended for Saturday's grand final. Neale's one-game suspension for striking Hawthorn's Jack Ginnivan in last Saturday night's preliminary final will be challenged by the Lions.
Neale's gut punch on Ginnivan was graded intentional conduct, medium impact and body contact, making him guilty according to video evidence. The Lions will cite a previous case involving Collingwood legend Scott Pendlebury, who was saved from suspension in March under the "exceptional and compelling circumstances" clause.
Neale's History Could Work in His Favour
Neale, a 320-gamer, is a dual Brownlow medallist; a dual premiership captain; a four-time All Australian; a four-time club champion who, like Pendlebury, has never been suspended. His exemplary history gives the Lions cause to argue, and hope for a reprieve.
"There's no point putting energy into it until we know the result," Neale's teammate Jarrod Berry said today. "We'll be sitting tight and praying that he gets off. But if he doesn't, we'll face it when it comes."
The Tribunal Hearing
The AFL tribunal chairman, Jeff Gleeson KC, has made it clear that the "good bloke" clause does not exist. Instead, the focus will be on the "exceptional and compelling circumstances" clause. Pendlebury's advocate, Myles Tehan, successfully argued that the ex-Pies captain "stands in a class of his own", having never previously been before the tribunal in a 21-year AFL career.
"It's frankly difficult to imagine how it could not constitute an exceptional and compelling circumstance (to avoid a ban)," Tehan told the hearing. "I should say this is not by any means a good bloke clause or a get of jail free card or anything of that nature."
"I might add, it never has been. It's misreported as being something to that effect from time to time," Gleeson said. "But people who read the guidelines and listen to what the tribunal says will understand it's nothing to do with being a good bloke."
The relevant clause states: "Players will not automatically receive a reduced sanction for a good record. However, if a classifiable offence is contested or referred to the tribunal, a player with an exemplary record may argue that their good record constitutes exceptional and compelling circumstances".