AFL 2024: Injuries & Suspensions

AFL Tribunal reach verdicts on Pickett, Rowbottom bumps

Both players have had their suspensions upheld.

Published by
Mitch Keating

Richmond's Marlion Pickett has had his one-game ban for engaging in rough conduct upheld at the AFL Tribunal.

Pickett and the Tigers contested the Match Review Officer's charge that was deemed as Careless Conduct, Medium Impact and High Contact.

The incident in question occurred in the second quarter of Saturday's match between Richmond and Hawthorn, with Pickett electing to bump Hawks forward Dylan Moore off the ball.

The Tigers and Picket had hoped to have the level of impact of the charge downgraded from medium impact to low.

"I dropped my level to make it safe because there was a height difference between me (and Moore)," Pickett said told the Tribunal, per AFL.com.au.

With the suspension remaining, Pickett will miss Saturday night's Dreamtime match against the Bombers, where the Tigers will wear an Indigenous jumper designed by the Richmond midfielder.

Meanwhile, Swan youngster James Rowbottom has also lost in his appeal to overturn his one-game suspension.

Rowbottom was charged with engaging in rough contact following an incident involving Essendon's Zach Merrett on Saturday night.

Rowbottom collected Merrett during a loose ball contest at the SCG, with the front-on collision with the Sydney midfielder leaving the Bombers star on the ground for a number of seconds. (Editor's note: a previous version of this story indicated Merrett was left 'bloodied' by the impact, which is not correct.)

The MRO judged the incident as Careless Conduct, Medium Impact and High Contact, resulting in a one-game suspension.

Rowbottom and the Swans argued that the level of impact should have been lowered from medium to low, while stating the Swan did not intend to bump.

The Sydney midfielder will miss Friday night's clash with Carlton.

Published by
Mitch Keating