Hawks Skipper Avoids Charge
The Age
Tuesday September 30, 2008
SAM Mitchell's premiership hangover will not extend into next year after the match review panel ruled yesterday that a match-day charge against the Hawthorn captain should not go any further.
Almost unsighted on the day, Mitchell was reported by field umpire Shaun Ryan for making forceful contact front-on with Geelong midfielder Gary Ablett. The incident occurred during the second quarter at the centre bounce following Hawthorn's seventh goal.With almost a full game's worth of demerit points hanging over him from a case earlier in the season and the doubling of base points for offences during the grand final, Mitchell faced up to four weeks out at the start of next season if a charge was laid and sustained. The match review panel ruled that a push by Mitchell's opponent Cameron Ling meant the bump was caused by circumstances outside Mitchell's control, which could not be reasonably foreseen, that the Hawk skipper tried to slow down before contact was made and that most of the contact was between Mitchell's ribs and Ablett's right shoulder.
© 2008 The Age