If the charge laid from Saturday night is anything to go by, we are in for another year of confusion from the MRP...
If anyone watched the game, it was clear that Ballantyne's hit 50m off the play was nothing but intentional. Ballantyne did his best Steven Baker impersonation and dropped Selwood to the ground with a cowardly backhanded whack.MRP wrote:Charges Laid:
Hayden Ballantyne, Fremantle, has been charged with a level one engaging in rough conduct offence (125 demerit points, one match) for engaging in rough conduct against Scott Selwood, West Coast, during the first quarter of the round one match between Fremantle and West Coast, played at Patersons Stadium on Saturday March 23, 2013.
In summary, he previous poor record means that his one-match sanction must remain at a one-match sanction with an early plea.
Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the West Coast Football Club, the incident was assessed as reckless conduct (two points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point). This is a total of four activation points, resulting in a classification of a level one offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has an existing bad record of three matches suspended within the last two years, increasing the penalty by 10 per cent to 137.50 points. He also has 33.13 points carried over from within the last 12 months, increasing the penalty to 170.63 points and a one-match sanction. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to 127.97 points and a one-match sanction.
If he has any brains at all (all evidence points to the contrary), he should take the week on offer and put the MRP members on his Christmas Card list.
