ROCKLING CAN'T ESCAPE THE HOOK
April 29 2003

GEELONG MIDFIELDER CAMERON LING will sit out what would have been his 50th AFL game against the Brisbane Lions at Skilled Stadium this weekend. Ling, a Geelong (Deputy) Vice Captain, was found guilty of striking St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt in Sunday's sometimes spiteful encounter against the Saints at Telstra Dome.

Ling received a one match suspension, the same punishment that he received in 2002 after striking Collingwood Captain Nathan Buckley. The former St Joseph's and Geelong Falcons full forward and Captain is understandably disappointed, after pleading not-guilty to the charge. However the actions were unwarranted, and he deserves to miss a week.

The week off may help to alleviate some pressure that has been on Ling's trouble ankles, which have been under a cloud since late season 2001. A smaller than usual crowd is expected this Sunday, a fixture that is starting at 12:40 PM. While there is normally fantastic support for the Lions at Geelong mainly to former Fitzroy sympathisers in Melbourne, Geelong, being 1-4, is expecting fans to 'vote with their feet'.