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Three-game AFL hanging ban upheld for van Rooyen
AAP
Melbourne have suffered a significant pre-finals blow, doubtlessly shedding key ahead Jacob van Rooyen for the remainder of the AFL season by suspension.
The Demons failed of their bid to have van Rooyen’s three-game ban for hanging overturned or decreased.
It means he’ll miss the fifth-placed Demons’ closing home-and-away sport on Saturday in opposition to the Western Bulldogs, and that Melbourne might want to win two finals for him to play once more this season.
Van Rooyen is having a career-best season, kicking 42 targets in 22 video games.
The Demons ahead was charged with hanging after he concussed Port Adelaide defender Aliir Aliir in a marking contest on Saturday evening at Adelaide Oval. It was graded as extreme affect, careless conduct and excessive affect.
After the 90-minute listening to, the place van Rooyen testified that he was making an attempt to mark the ball when he collected Aliir, the tribunal jury deliberated for almost an hour earlier than upholding the cost.
Melbourne had argued van Rooyen’s try to mark the ball was not careless, however the tribunal rejected their case.
Tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson KC additionally turned down a bid from the Demons to have a biomechanist give proof for van Rooyen.
“The swing of Van Rooyen’s left arm constituted the act of a strike. It was a forceful blow. It was not merely a trailing or main arm that Aliir collided with,” Gleeson mentioned within the verdict, including the panel discovered it was careless.
“Van Rooyen was initially desiring to mark the ball, however we discover that shortly earlier than affect, he ceased to mean to mark the ball. We are saying this regardless of van Rooyen’s proof on the contrary.
“Even when it was van Rooyen’s sole goal always to contest the mark, we discover that he did so in a approach that did not take cheap care to keep away from acts which could possibly be moderately foreseen to end in a reportable offence.
“Van Rooyen had time to maneuver his proper arm in response to seeing Aliir and he might have completed so to some extent or enough extent along with his left arm.”
Why Viney’s September desires hold within the stability
Jon Pierik
Melbourne vice captain Jack Viney faces a race in opposition to time to return for the finals regardless of a profitable comeback by the VFL.
Viney had 19 disposals, together with a aim and a game-high 10 clearances, for Casey within the VFL in his comeback from Achilles tendon and again points.
He had not performed a sport in any respect this season, one during which the Demons have rebounded from a horror 2025 to be within the body for a top-four end heading into Saturday’s conflict in opposition to the Western Bulldogs – the ultimate sport of the home-and-away marketing campaign.
Including to the Demons’ dilemma is that Casey’s VFL marketing campaign has ended, ending the yr 18th on the ladder.
Whereas coach Steven King was delighted with Viney’s return, he mentioned on Tuesday there was a lot to think about when it got here to the midfielder’s doable senior return.
“There’s a whole lot of components that go into it. Clearly, the crew stability. We’ve gained six of our final seven, however, I imply, when you might have Jack Viney accessible, it’s solely a great factor,” King mentioned.
“So, I wish to ensure that I do the proper factor by the crew, the membership, however extra so Jack as effectively. We wish to ensure that when he is available in, he’s actually prepared. Is that this week? We’ll wait and see.”
The Demons’ midfield has been purring, so Viney must squeeze right into a line-up that included dynamic playmaker Kysaiah Pickett, the newly contracted Tom Sparrow, Caleb Windsor and Joel Fitzgerald.
The Demons are hoping to be concerned in a VFL scratch match this weekend to provide a number of of their fringe gamers one other likelihood to push for finals choice.
“I feel now we have to acknowledge that VFL and AFL are completely different sports activities. The depth … you possibly can’t replicate an AFL sport,” King mentioned.
“In saying that, we’re able with 5 on the bench. We’d be capable of handle gamers coming again in like we do. I feel each crew would have most likely one participant that spends rather less sport time, in order that’s undoubtedly an possibility.
“For me, we simply have to take a look at our combine and our stability, and there’s extra to it than only one participant is available in. It’s the ripple impact, the way it impacts your crew and your squad, and likewise your opponents who’re taking part in that week.”
Viney is contracted till the top of 2028.
King mentioned he was delighted that Sparrow had inked a five-year deal, and mentioned skipper Max Gawn, virtually sure to be named an All-Australian for the ninth time, also needs to be bestowed the captaincy.
“I’m biased, however I feel he’s worthy of an All-Australian captaincy, to be trustworthy, with what’s completed and the way he’s carried this crew this yr to be sitting the place we’re,” King mentioned.
“It’s off the again of his work, which is kind of extraordinary for a 34-year-old to be doing what he’s doing.”
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Jon Pierik is a sports activities journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has gained awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Join through X or electronic mail.