GEELONG'S MAX ROOKE GIVEN ONE MATCH SUSPENSION BY AFL MATCH REVIEW PANEL
Ben Jensen 11 June 2007

By Ben Jensen GEELONG hard nut Max Rooke, the Cat formerly known as Jarad, has been cited by the AFL Match Review Panel for his head on bump to Adelaide Crows Captain Mark Ricciuto in yesterday's win at AAMI Stadium. Rooke, who missed nearly the first two months of the season with injury and returned in Round 8 against Fremantle, is renowned for going hard at the ball, and on this occasion may pay the penalty. Geelong must advise the AFL within 24 hours if it accepts the charge or will take the matter to the AFL Tribunal, which has been unusually player-friendly in recent months.

SHOULD Rooke indeed be suspended, fellow gritty defender David Johnson is in line to replace him as the tagger - defender of choice for the clash with Brisbane. Johnson has a calf strain and was due to return this weekend, but otherwise may have found it difficult to force his way into the top of the ladder AFL side.

AFL Media Release:

Max Rooke, Geelong, has been charged with bumping or making forceful contact from front-on against Mark Ricciuto, Adelaide, during the third quarter of the Round Eleven match between Geelong and Adelaide, played at AAMI Stadium on Sunday June 10, 2007.

In summary, his existing good record enables him to accept a one-game sanction.

The incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), medium impact (two points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Two offence, drawing 250 demerit points and a two-match sanction. He has an existing five-year good record, subject to confirmation tomorrow (Tuesday) by AFL Victoria of his VFL record, which reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 187.52 points and a one-match sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 140.63 points and a one-match sanction.

 

CATS BY A WHISKER, EARN HARD FOUGHT WIN IN ADELAIDE, HIT TOP OF AFL LADDER
GEELONG shot past the West Coast Eagles to the top of the AFL Ladder with their second win in Adelaide in a fortnight, defeating the Adelaide Crows by nine points in a very physical, defensive low scoring match in front of just over 43,000. The Cats struggled in the first quarter, and were fortunate to be just eight points behind. In the second quarter Geelong had more of the ball but were inaccurate in front of goal, kicking two goals and nine behinds, including three rushed scores by the Crows, but drew level at half time. In the third quarter Geelong shot to an early lead but Adelaide returned fire and the difference was just one behind in favour of the Cats at the final break. The Cats lost the lead briefly but with the final two goals of the match held on to win by seven points, confirming their top place on the ladder and thrilling the small but vocal group of supporters at AAMI Stadium.

GEELONG 2.2 (14) 4.11 (35) 7.13 (55) 9.16 (69) DEFEATED
ADELAIDE 3.4 (22) 5.5 (35) 8.6 (54) 9.8 (62)

GOALS:
GEELONG: Mooney 3, Ling 2, Stokes, S Johnson, Kelly, Ottens
ADELAIDE: McGregor 3, Van Berlo 2, Stevens, Thompson, Bock, Stiffy Johncock

BEST:
GEELONG: Bartel, G. Ablett, Enright, Corey, Mackie, Harley, Milburn, Ling, Kelly
ADELAIDE: Thompson, van Berlo, Bassett, Edwards, McLeod, Knights, Shirley, Doughty

VFL - CATS KEEP TOP SPOT, BUT LOSE TO WERRIBEE

WERRIBEE 6.6 9.10 12.15 15.17 (107) DEFEATED
GEELONG 3.4 5.9 5.17 12.20 (92)

GOALS:
WERRIBEE: Podsiadly 4 Robbins 4 Barham 2 Lynch Hill McDougall Rockefeller Furfaro.
GEELONG: Byrnes 2 Byrne 2 Djerrkura 2 Gardiner 2 Playfair 2 Davenport Prismall.

BEST:
WERRIBEE: Pask Barham Robbins Rockefeller Castello Podsiadly.
GEELONG: Selwood Prismall Callan Gardiner Byrnes Playfair