Fri. Nov 8th, 2024
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Melbourne forward Jacob van Rooyen could be in action at the AFL tribunal for a second-straight night after failing to overturn his controversial two-match ban on Tuesday.

It was a mixed bag during a marathon five-and-a-half-hour session at the tribunal on Tuesday night.

Carlton’s Nic Newman had his one-match ban for striking thrown out after the player he hit — Brisbane midfielder Lachie Neale — provided some helping evidence.

But emerging Demons star van Rooyen had his two-match ban for striking upheld, and Geelong forward Brad Close failed to overturn his one-match ban for a dangerous tackle.

Van Rooyen was cited for a dangerous spoil, coming in hot to punch a ball away and hitting Gold Coast’s Charlie Ballard in the head.

The decision to suspend van Rooyen has angered many of the game’s greats, who believe the 20-year-old’s attempt to spoil was within the spirit of the game.

“If Jacob van Rooyen gets suspended for that, we have become a hostage to litigation,” former Brisbane Lions great Jonathan Brown told Fox Footy after the game.

“That is a football accident. And that is where we are going as a game, and that is concerning.”

Van Rooyen will miss games against Hawthorn and Port Adelaide unless he successfully appeals against the ban, with the Demons saying “the club will consider all its options before accepting the AFL tribunal’s decision”.

Van Rooyen’s bicep made contact with the head of Ballard, who was stretchered off the field but has since been cleared of concussion or a neck injury.

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