Scott Pendlebury’s alleged anger towards the AFL after his Tribunal hearing on Tuesday night has been revealed, despite avoiding suspension due to exceptional and compelling circumstances.
Plus, Tasmania has identified an AFL rival two years before it’s even entered the league, as it attempts to end a rival’s long-standing relationship with the state. MORE BELOW IN AFL DAILY!
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‘DON’T PAY IT’: CROWS GREAT’S MESSAGE FOR ‘ABSOLUTELY FURIOUS’ 427-GAME LEGEND
Scott Pendlebury is privately “furious” he has been handed a $3,000 fine following an AFL tribunal hearing on Tuesday night.
That’s the suggestion from former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, who on Tuesday accused league officials of “conniving” to cover their “backsides” after Pendlebury was initially handed a one-week suspension.
Pendlebury successfully escaped a one-match suspension after he was found to have bumped Adelaide’s Josh Worrell last Saturday night, but argued his 427 games without a suspension were exceptional and compelling circumstances.
Speaking on Channel 9’s Footy Classified following the tribunal’s verdict, McGuire was scathing of the tribunal process.
“Scott Pendlebury is absolutely furious about this,” McGuire said on Tuesday night.
“This is a bloke who has been to this stage the fairest player in the history of the game. Okay.
“They (the AFL) say, ‘We’ll let you off’. No you didn’t. You didn’t let him off. You connived to pull together one result and then another to cover your backside.
“I have lost it. Jeff Gleeson, David Neitz and Darren Gaspar. That’s their release, not mine.”
Crows great Rory Sloane added: “When you play that in real time. I don’t think those guys you just mentioned understand how hard it is and how quick that incident happens.
“Players are sick of the game being made harder for them. They’re trying their best to adapt to the changes around head knocks and everything and players want to look after other players.
“They are absolutely sick of it being made harder for them. And a $3,000 fine? Don’t pay it. Literally walk onto the ground and refuse to pay it because it’s an absolute joke.”
Pendlebury is now set to play his record-setting 433rd game at the MCG in Round 8 against Hawthorn — or, if he is rested on a short turnaround after Anzac Day, a week after that at the MCG against Geelong.
Pies to challenge Pendlebury’s ban | 00:34
‘WOULD BE HILARIOUS, IF…’: FOOTAGE OF STAR HAWKS DUO’S ARREST REVEALED
Footage of star Hawthorn pair Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald being arrested in Arizona last November has been revealed this week.
CODE Sports obtained bodycam footage of several police officers on Tuesday, in which the duo were arrested for trespassing. Moore was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, though that charge was later dismissed.
Both players were found on a scissor lift, which prompted a local security guard to call police after they allegedly refused to get down.
“It does beg the question — they’re not that far off the ground… would this be the sort of thing for conduct unbecoming?” Midweek Tackle’s Lauren Wood told Fox Footy on Tuesday night.
Fellow panellist Jon Ralph replied: “This would be hilarious if the police officer hadn’t found drug paraphernalia on Dylan Moore. As part of that, you see a white bag (in the footage).
“The officer’s testimony was that a white bag of crystalline substance fell out of Moore’s pocket. Moore denied it was his. A search found a rolled-up $100 note with more crystalline residue on him … that drug paraphernalia charge was officially dropped.
“Given the fact that Moore didn’t face an escalation through that conduct unbecoming charges, that’s where we are. We’re probably splitting hairs here.”
‘NO-BRAINER’: TASSIE TRYING TO EVICT VIC RIVALS AMID STADIUM DELAY DRAMA
Tasmania has identified its maiden AFL rival two years before it’s even entered the league, as it attempts to end Hawthorn’s long-standing relationship with the state.
The Devils, who will join the league as its 19th team at the start of 2028, have desperately begun their bid to ensure they are the only side playing home games in the state — a wish that would end the Hawks’ 26-year run playing at Launceston’s UTAS Stadium (formerly York Park).
Speaking on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, reporter Jon Ralph revealed the wish of inaugural CEO Brendon Gale ahead of their inception.
“Brendon Gale has issued an urgent plea to the AFL: Hawthorn must depart the state in time for the Devils’ first AFL game in 2028,” Ralph said on Tuesday night.
“The Hawks have had a deal dating back to 2001. The current deal is for the next two years. Four games a year, it’s worth $9m in total.
“As Brendon told me today: ‘The Tassie business case and the financial models never contemplated having a ‘rival’ within the state. We’ve had to import content for the last few years, but now we have our own team. This is a historic moment, and we need to win the hearts and minds of all Tasmanians.’”
Devils’ entry not ideal without stadium | 03:35
Fellow panellist and Herald Sun journalist Scott Gullan added: “It’s a no-brainer, and the AFL should hit it on the head right now. They need free air, this is their new baby being born there.
“You want to be able to do everything … not have people walking around with Hawthorn jumpers. They need to be all in. This state, as we know, can be divided — bring them together, you’ve got your own team. Go, go!”
The details come after the finishing date for the club’s brand-new stadium at Mac Point was quietly delayed until the start of the 2031 stadium.
The venue, which is tipped to cost $1.13 billion, will be roofed and hold 23,000 seats at Hobart’s Macquarie Point, which was approved by Tasmanian parliament late last year.
“The update now is that the new Mac Point Stadium will be ready in 2031. 2028 is the first season, so that’s three full seasons at Hobart’s Ninja Stadium, and also Launceston’s UTAS Stadium,” Ralph continued.
“Gale says, in his words: ‘It’s not ideal’. But, he does admit it might mean more games across Launceston than across Ninja (Stadium). Launceston just had a $120m renovation, it will be an elite stadium there.
“You actually have to give Tasmania three full years to say: ‘We want to win these people back’ … I think those three years are even more important than they’ve ever been , given the lack of a stadium at Mac Point.”
The Devils will play their first ever VFL match this Saturday afternoon against Coburg at North Hobart Oval, two seasons prior to their AFL debut.
But, while the club won’t officially begin recruiting current AFL players until at least the end of this year, Gullan notes that the lack of continuity for the club and its home venue for the first three years could be a major turn-off for any potential recruits they approach.
“The biggest issue is a player going there … three years, going all over the state. If I’m a star — let’s go with Ryley Sanders — he’ll be 26 when the stadium is finally built, he would’ve had eight years in the AFL. Why would you go earlier than that?” Gullan questioned.
“I don’t think he’s going there, but his name keeps on coming up. Why would he go before that fancy, billion-dollar stadium’s there to welcome him?”
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