Merrett and Clarke to miss
Daniel Merrett and Justin Clarke will miss Saturday's clash at the Gabba
Merrett will miss the next three matches after being suspended for a tackle on Essendon’s Michael Hurley, while Clarke accepted a one-week ban his late bump on Elliott Kavanagh.
Merrett was charged with a level three engaging in rough conduct offence (325 demerit points, three-match sanction) for engaging in rough conduct. In summary, due to his previous poor record, his three-match sanction must remain at three matches, even with an early plea.
Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Essendon Football Club, the incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), high impact (three points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of six activation points, resulting in a classification of a level three offence, drawing 325 demerit points and a three-match sanction. He has an existing bad record of 93.75 demerit points carried over from within the last 12 months, increasing the penalty to 418.75 points and a four-match sanction.
An early plea reduced the sanction by 25 per cent to 314.06 points and a three-match sanction.
The full-back will now miss the Lions' upcoming matches against Carlton (Round 9), Collingwood (Round 10) and Fremantle (Round 12).
Clark was charged with a level two charging offence (225 demerit points, two match sanction) for charging. In summary, he accepted a one-match sanction with an early plea.
Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Essendon Football Club, the incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), medium impact (two points) and body contact (one point). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a level two offence, drawing 225 demerit points and a two-match sanction. He hs no existing good or bad record.
An early plea reduced the sanction by 25 per cent to 168.75 demerit points and a one-match sanction.
Simon Black has also accepted a charge for making negligent contact with an umpire ($1200 sanction). In summary, he accepted a $900 sanction with an early plea. A first offence for making negligent contact with an umpire is a $1200 sanction. An early plea reduced the sanction by 25 per cent to a $900 sanction.