Carlton's Matt Owies has seen his one-game suspension for a dangerous tackle upheldย at the AFL Tribunal.
The Blues and Owies challenged the Match Review Officer's charge of rough conduct after a one-game ban was handed down for a tackle on St Kilda's Jack Higgins during Sunday's Round 24 match.
Owies pled not guilty to the charge, with the Blues arguing the incident did not warrant the reportable offence of rough conduct, with Owies showing the required duty of care to his fellow player. Carlton also challenged the level of impact if the charge was to be upheld, hoping to have the grading of 'medium' lowered to 'low', which would've seen Owies penalised with a financial sanction instead.
Owies, who revealed during the hearing he had never been reported across almost 100 AFL/VFL games, gave evidence, speaking on the extent of tackling training he receives - both in practice and watching vision on executing tackles.
He took the Tribunal through his thinking as footage of the incident in question was shown frame-by-frame.
"My first thought is to win the ball back by getting a 'holding the ball' free kick. I'm trying to grab his arms, I'm closing on him so I'm trying to bring my body past him as we're going at high speed, that's one way of breaking the fall. I've got control of the tackle and I'm trying to close space so that I can control him safely to the ground," Owies said when questioned by his Counsel, Peter O'Farrell.
"I see the ball go (from Higgins' possession), so I'm trying not to give away a free kick. I'm trying to protect his and my fall by staying upright. My right arm is on his bicep, as is my left.ย I'm in full control.
"[As Higgins' knee hits the ground] I'm trying to stay upright, I then notice he went slack and I'm trying to twist him so that I don't fall into his back."
Owies noted he loosened his grip on Higgins' arms as the pair went to ground.
Tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson drew attention to the tackle that followed Owies' on Higgins between Dan Butler and Matt Kennedy, asking the Blues forward to discuss the differences in the two actions as Butler is seen to release Kennedy at an earlier time. Owies said he and Higgins were moving quicker and that Butler may have seen the ball spill loose prior as he began his tackle attempt.
AFL Counsel Nick Pane said the second half of Owies' tackle saw Higgins driven forcefully into the ground, and that Owies placed Higgins in a vulnerable position. Pane's submission stated Owies should have released one or both of Higgins' arms once realising the ball had spilt free.
Pane added that the footage did not clearly show a loosening of the grip Owies had on Higgins' arm.
The AFL also argued that the force with which Higgins was driven into the ground had the potential to cause injury, while Owies' grasp on Higgins' arms exacerbated the situation.
The Tribunal upheld the suspension, stating Owies acted unreasonably and that the level of impact was rightfully judged as 'medium'.
After the verdict was handed down, O'Farrell pleaded for the penalty to be reduced to a fine under 'exceptional and compelling circumstances' in that Owies has a good record, does community work and has been a trailblazer in the AFL after crossing from a professional basketball career.
The Tribunal denied the lowering of the penalty.
The Tribunal's verdict will mean Owies is unavailable to play in Carlton's upcoming elimination final against Brisbane.
