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AFL MRO: Essendon captain charged, Sun learns fate for strike on Collingwood defender

Three players have been charged by the Match Review Officer.

Published by
Mitch Keating

Essendon's Zach Merrett is one of three players to be charged by the AFL's Match Review Officer for a reportable offence from Saturday's action of Round 16.

A first-quarter hit on Geelong opponent Tom Atkins has seen the Bombers captain hit with a striking charge under a fixed financial sanction grading.

That penalty, which would mean the MRO viewed Merrett's strike on Atkins to not have more than negligible impact, has seen the Essendon onballer handed a $1875 fine.

An early guilty plea would see Merrett's fine reduced to $1250.

Elsewhere, Gold Coast's Ben Long has been fined $3750 for striking Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard during the second quarter of Saturday night's game at People First Stadium.

The off-ball hit has been graded as intentional conduct, low impact and body contact, meaning Long has avoided a suspension.

Long can walk away with a $2500 fine with an early guilty plea and will be available to face North Melbourne in Round 17.

Gold Coast have decided to appeal the AFL's decision on Long's strike, questioning whether the impact was in fact low.

Lastly, Adelaide midfielder Sam Berry has been handed a $1875 fine for making careless contact with an umpire.

The second-quarter incident falls under the fixed financial sanction grading and sees Berry hit with a $1875 fine, which can be reduced to $1250 with an early plea.

 

Published by
Mitch Keating