BARTEL CLEARED; THOMPSON BACKS AFL DECISION
Mark Heenan 14 June 2006

By Mark Heenan GEELONG COACH Mark Thompson admits he is relieved star midfielder Jimmy Bartel escaped last night’s tribunal hearing with a reprimand despite a controversial bump to the head.

Bartel pleaded guilty to rough conduct against Bomber Damien Peverill in last Friday’s match at Telstra Dome but successfully downgraded the charge from reckless to negligent.

The 22-year-old avoided suspension and is now free to play against Fremantle on Saturday. “We should just take it (the decision) on its merits,” Thompson said.

“We're really pleased with all the conjecture last week about the bumping in footy and that Jimmy at least showed he was slowing up before the contact was made. “The contact was inevitable but Jimmy was the flavour of the week and he did slow up and I think that’s probably saved his bum in the end.”

Geelong is likely to rush back captain Steven King after he appeared to overcome a calf strain at training on Wednesday at Skilled Stadium. King, who has only played five matches in 2006 and last played in round eight, faces an enormous challenge of trying to curb inform Docker giant Aaron Sandilands' dominance.

Back-up Fremantle ruckman Justin Longmuir is also in doubt with a knee injury.

Dynamic Geelong forward Steve Johnson faces a month on the sidelines with a knee injury and underwent surgery earlier this week.

Experienced backman Tom Harley has been ruled out of Saturday’s clash with a shoulder while rising defender Jarad Rooke remains in doubt with a foot injury.

“King is going to play….. if he gets through training tonight,” Thompson said. “Oh look, he (King) had a one-week calf and we have given him three weeks, we're playing it pretty safe.”

Geelong will arrest a six-game losing streak at Subiaco if it beats the enigmatic Fremantle on Saturday and Thompson concedes a win interstate could reinvigorate its slow start to the season.

Thompson admits the pressure is on. “I think we have four interstate matches left – Fremantle, we go to Adelaide, we go to Canberra (against the Kangaroos) and we go to Brisbane. We have to win interstate and (that’s) something we haven’t been great at, we're definitely we have to win one of the next two.”

The last time Geelong won against Fremantle in Perth was back in round eight of 2001.

Defender Matthew Scarlett celebrates his 150th milestone this Saturday, while the game marks Mark Thompson 150th game as coach.

Geelong’s second longest serving coach played down his milestone during the week. “No (the 150th game does not mean) a great deal, (it’s) just another game we want to win.”

DVD $29.95

Sports Delivered/AFL Video are the official distributor of AFL videos (including DVDs)

TAX TIME TAX RETURN TAX PACK ATO