North Melbourne ruckman Tristan Xerri is learning his fate at the AFL Tribunal tonight after being accused of wiping blood on the face of Essendon’s Andrew McGrath. Live from 5pm AEDT!
The bizarre incident saw Xerri referred directly to the Tribunal on the grounds of serious misconduct, and he is facing a multi-week suspension.
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Follow David Zita’s live updates from Tristan Xerri’s Tribunal hearing below!
The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph reported the AFL was expected to ask for a three-week suspension, though his fate will depend on how the Kangaroos argue their case.
Should they throw themselves at the mercy of the Tribunal Xerri is likely to earn a more lenient penalty than if he tries to argue the ban down.
Xerri called McGrath on Sunday and said it was a “silly mistake in the heat of the moment” and he was “genuinely sorry”, according to the Herald Sun.
There are very few recent comparisons for this incident. Nathan Buckley was banned for a week in 2002 after wiping blood onto Cameron Ling’s jumper to try and get him off the ground on the blood rule, while Jeremy Howe was reprimanded for wiping blood from his knee onto Tom Jonas’ shorts in 2012.
The Kangaroos’ upcoming games are against Carlton (Marvel Stadium), Brisbane (Lyndoch in Gather Round), Richmond (Marvel Stadium) and GWS (Manuka Oval).
Given the Tigers game will be one of the most winnable on the Roos’ fixture, Xerri will be desperate to avoid a ban of three weeks or longer.
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