Outrage as young gun’s ban upheld for ‘accident’

Melbourne on Wednesday announced it would appeal the tribunal’s decision.

The club initially attempted to contest the charge at the tribunal on Tuesday night, arguing that Van Rooyen’s sole intention was to spoil the ball.

However, the panel reinforced the MRO’s initial determination that the incident constituted careless conduct which was high impact and high contact.

Lyon was unsure why Van Rooyen had been punished for completing a football action, encouraging the Demons to fight the outcome.

“They will appeal this,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast.

“We might expend all this energy for no reason, but as it stands right now, this is a huge, massive, grey area in the game.

“I think they got it really, badly wrong.

“You can reasonably make the case that all the kid was doing was trying to spoil that football with a straight arm. The contact was almost in his armpit.

“If he deliberately tried to get him in the head with his armpit, then he’s going to be a superstar,” he added jokingly.

Van Rooyen’s teammate Jake Lever also joined the program to discuss the suspension.

Demons to contest Van Rooyen ban

Lever said he was disappointed that the action, which involved no malice from the 20-year-old, had resulted in such a punishment.

“To be honest I was pretty flat,” he said.

“I’m a little bit flat because it did look like a football accident.

“As much as he got him in the head, I think Charlie Ballard was fine and heard a bit of a crack in his neck. That’s why they were pretty precautionary in terms of getting him stretchered off.

“Jacob reached out to him and he said he was fine. I think he (Ballard) might be even playing this week, so you look at that…

“I love playing with Jacob so I’m a bit flat. I’m not sure what the club is going to do in terms of before they accept the offer. I’m sure they’ll be doing everything possible to try and get him off.”

Asked if this outcome added to the uncertainty surrounding what players can and can’t do to avoid a sanction, Lever agreed.

“Maybe a little bit confused, absolutely,” he said.

“I’m probably caught in that situation three or four times nearly every game where you’re in front, the ball is kicked over your head and you have to try and make a contest, otherwise your opponent is just going to stand there and take a mark and kick a goal.

“For me, I am a little bit confused and I think that’s probably where a young player like Jacob, you never want him to change the way he plays because that’s why we love him. I hope that he’s not as confused as a lot of people out there would be.”

Melbourne’s appeal could take place as early as Thursday afternoon depending on the availability of the appeal board members.

The Suns have since confirmed that Ballard has recovered and is expected to line up against the Eagles on Friday night.

As it stands, Van Rooyen will miss the Demons’ round nine and 10 matches against the Hawks and the Power.

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