Sydney Swans begin appealing the Isaac Heeney ruling, while AFL reformer Patrick Cripps.
Until the club wins at the appeals board, the Sydney Swans gun is not eligible to win the Brownlow Medal.
The Sydney Swans have filed an appeal against the AFL tribunal’s ruling to uphold Isaac Heeney’s one-game punishment, restoring his chance to be considered for the Brownlow Medal. After failing to challenge a ban for hitting St Kilda defender Jimmy Webster during the Swans’ shocking loss to the Saints on Sunday, Heeney is currently disqualified to win the Brownlow.
Prior to the sentence, which the tribunal affirmed on Tuesday night, the Sydney Swans player was one of the favorites for the Brownlow. Unless the Swans are successful in getting the ban overturned by the appeals board, Heeney will miss the team’s match against North Melbourne on Saturday.
It was revealed on Wednesday that the Swans they will appeal the tribunal’s decision. Heeney will be free to play if the Swans cab prove an error of law, the decision was unreasonable, the classification of the offence was excessive or the sanction was excessive.
The tribunal deliberated for about 40 minutes on Tuesday night before agreeing the incident warranted a one-game suspension. “The swing of Heeney’s arm was forceful and it was more than a swatting motion,” AFL tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson said.
“We are not satisfied that he intended only to make contact with Webster’s hands. This was an intentional strike resulting in injury.”
Webster was treated for a bloody nose on the field, but wasn’t required to leave the ground and didn’t need any ongoing medical attention. Heeney argued the incident happened “extremely quickly” and he was intending to “swat” Webster’s hand away so he could run towards the ball.
“It probably happens 50-100 times in some games,” he said. “I wanted to swat his hands away, I didn’t want to hit him (high). I don’t recall seeing his head in my peripheral vision.”
Brownlow eligibility standards should be reviewed, according to Patrick Cripps.
Carlton firearm After taking home the coveted Brownlow in 2022, Cripps is currently the favorite to win it again this year. But in light of the Heeney scenario, Cripps has advocated for an alteration to the Brownlow regulations by the AFL.
