AFL Tribunal: GWS' Toby Bedford learns fate for dangerous tackle

GWS' Toby Bedford has been unsuccessful in overturning the three-game ban charge after the Tribunal upheld the sanction and will miss clashes against Gold Coast, Melbourne and Hawthorn.

Bedford was offered a three-match suspension from the Match Review Officer (MRO) for a dangerous tackle on Richmond midfielder Tim Taranto during Sunday's clash at the MCG.

The MRO graded the incident as careless conduct, severe impact and high contact, constituting a three-week layoff.

Toby Bedford has received a three-match ban for this incident involving Tim Taranto.

Full Match Review findings: https://t.co/1KgAEYVkjr pic.twitter.com/uwLrsdAy9W

— AFL (@AFL) July 15, 2024

Taranto hit his head on the ground and was concussed as a result and will miss at least the next 12 days of action and the Round 19 clash against Port Adelaide.

GWS counsel Anais d'Arville said the club will argue this was not careless conduct or a reportable offence. They also argue if it is reportable, impact should be medium rather than severe.

Bedford gave evidence during the hearing: "He had a metre or so on me. I leap for him as he grabs the ball and then kind of just hold on.

"I don't think I could've done anything different in terms of where I grabbed him.

"Once I grabbed him, I just held on and I think it was his momentum that caused us to turn a bit.

"I don't think there's any other way I could've tackled ... I thought I executed the tackle perfectly."

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 29: Xavier O'Halloran of the Giants celebrates with Toby Bedford of the Giants after kicking a goal during the round seven AFL match between Sydney Swans and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Sydney Cricket Ground, on April 29, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )

AFL counsel Lisa Hannon made suggestions that Bedford could've released Taranto's left arm to assist in bracing for a fall whilst also considering staying upright in the tackle.

"It's the diving motion and hanging on during the course of the dive that creates the momentum that brings Taranto to ground ... the lunging or diving adds to the inherent risk."

Hannon argued that Bedford drove Taranto into the ground with excessive force, and the diving motion adds an increased risk given he had less control.

The Giants small forward will miss the next three weeks, including what is dubbed the "expansion cup" contest against Gold Coast.