Sydney veteran Lance Franklin has had his suspension upheld by the AFL Tribunal after challenging the AFL Match Review Officer's charge of striking Tiger Trent Cotchin during last Friday's match at the SCG.
Franklin's high hit on Cotchin was deemed as Intentional Conduct, Low Impact and High Contact by the MRO, resulting in a one-match ban.
At Wednesday night's AFL Tribunal, Franklin and the Swans argued against the view of intentional conduct, stating Franklin's actions were careless rather than intentional.
The AFL Tribunal saw the incident as "aggressive and forceful", seeing Franklin unsuccessful in his challenge.
Franklin said that he would never strike Cotchin high as he struggled to remember the hit, stating "it's not in the spirit of the game", perย AFL.com.
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The 35-year-old also argued that he hit Cotchin with an open hand as opposed to a clenched fist, which the AFL argued is still a strike and that it was intentional.
His representative said it was more of a pushing motion rather than a strike, much like Franklin's first push on Cotchin, and that he was deserving of a fine rather than a suspension.
"It doesn't look like one you would lose matches for."
JB and Daisy discuss the Buddy/Cotch incident. pic.twitter.com/2tXcnCorxV
— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 27, 2022
AFL counsel Andrew Wood stated that it was lucky Cotchin "does not sustain a more serious injury".
"Iโm at a loss to think itโs less than negligible," he said.
"Precisely what a professional AFL player should know what not to do.
"Itโs brazen, itโs cowardly and the opposing player isnโt expecting that to happen to him.
"Itโs AFL, not Fight Club or a combat sport."
Franklin's counsel questioned Cotchin's actions following the hit, stating he "exaggerated".
"The head movement back was somewhat exaggerated and it had an effect in that a free kick was reversed," Duncan Miller said.
"I'm tempted to say he might be invited to the Logies and not the Brownlow this year."
The Tribunal's decision will see Franklin missย this weekend's Round 12 clash with Sydney.
The match betweenย Melbourneย andย Sydneyย is scheduled for 7:25pm (AEST) next Saturday at theย Melbourneย Cricket Ground.
