Scott Pendlebury’s frustration with the AFL emerged following his tribunal hearing on Tuesday night, despite avoiding suspension thanks to what the league deemed “exceptional and compelling circumstances.”
Elsewhere, Tasmania has already identified a potential rival within the AFL, two years before the state even joins the league, as it attempts to end a long-standing relationship between Hawthorn and the state. MORE BELOW IN AFL DAILY!
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‘DON’T PAY IT’: CROWS GREAT’S MESSAGE FOR ‘ABSOLUTELY FURIOUS’ 427-GAME LEGEND
Scott Pendlebury is reportedly “furious” after being handed a $3,000 fine following Tuesday night’s AFL tribunal hearing.
Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire accused league officials of “conniving” to protect themselves after Pendlebury initially faced a one-week suspension.
Pendlebury successfully overturned the one-match ban stemming from a bump on Adelaide’s Josh Worrell last Saturday night, with the tribunal acknowledging his 427 consecutive games without a suspension as “exceptional and compelling circumstances.”
Speaking on Channel 9’s Footy Classified after the verdict, McGuire was critical of the tribunal process.
“Scott Pendlebury is absolutely furious about this,” McGuire said Tuesday night.
“This represents a bloke who has been the fairest player in the history of the game. They (the AFL) say, ‘We’ll let you off’. No you didn’t. You didn’t let him off. You connived to pull together one result and then another to cover your backside.”
“I have lost it. Jeff Gleeson, David Neitz and Darren Gaspar. That’s their release, not mine.”
Crows great Rory Sloane added: “When you play that in real time, I don’t think those guys understand how hard it is and how quick that incident happens. Players are sick of the game being made harder for them. They’re trying their best to adapt to the changes around head knocks and everything, and players want to look after other players. They are absolutely sick of it being made harder for them. And a $3,000 fine? Don’t pay it. Literally walk onto the ground and refuse to pay it because it’s an absolute joke.”
Pendlebury is now set to play his record-setting 433rd game at the MCG in Round 8 against Hawthorn — or, if rested on a short turnaround after Anzac Day, a week later against Geelong.
Pies to challenge Pendlebury’s ban | 00:34
‘WOULD BE HILARIOUS, IF…’: FOOTAGE OF STAR HAWKS DUO’S ARREST REVEALED
Footage of Hawthorn stars Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald being arrested in Arizona last November was revealed this week.
CODE Sports obtained bodycam footage Tuesday showing several police officers arresting the duo for trespassing. Moore was also initially charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, but that charge was later dropped.
Both players were found on a scissor lift after allegedly refusing to come down, prompting a security guard to call the police.
“It does beg the question — they’re not that far off the ground… Would this be the sort of thing for conduct unbecoming?” Midweek Tackle’s Lauren Wood told Fox Footy Tuesday night.
Fellow panelist Jon Ralph replied: “This would be hilarious if the police officer hadn’t found drug paraphernalia on Dylan Moore. As part of that, you see a white bag (in the footage). The officer’s testimony was that a white bag of crystalline substance fell out of Moore’s pocket. Moore denied it was his. A search found a rolled-up $100 note with more crystalline residue on him … That drug paraphernalia charge was officially dropped.”
“Given the fact that Moore didn’t face an escalation through conduct unbecoming charges, that’s where we are. We’re probably splitting hairs here.”
‘NO-BRAINER’: TASSIE TRYING TO EVICT VIC RIVALS AMID STADIUM DELAY DRAMA
Tasmania has identified its first AFL rival even before joining the league in 2028, as it attempts to end Hawthorn’s long-standing relationship with the state.
The Devils are aiming to be the sole AFL team playing home games in Tasmania, which would end the Hawks’ 26-year run at Launceston’s UTAS Stadium.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, reporter Jon Ralph revealed the wish of inaugural CEO Brendon Gale.
“Brendon Gale has issued an urgent plea to the AFL: Hawthorn must depart the state in time for the Devils’ first AFL game in 2028,” Ralph said Tuesday night.
“The Hawks have had a deal dating back to 2001. The current deal is for the next two years, worth $9 million in total. Gale told me today: ‘The Tassie business case and the financial models never contemplated having a ‘rival’ within the state. We’ve had to import content for the last few years, but now we have our own team. This is a historic moment, and we need to win the hearts and minds of all Tasmanians.’”
Devils’ entry not ideal without stadium | 03:35
Fellow panelist and Herald Sun journalist Scott Gullan added: “It’s a no-brainer, and the AFL should hit it on the head right now. They need free air, this is their new baby being born there. You want to be able to do everything … Not have people walking around with Hawthorn jumpers. They need to be all in. This state can be divided — bring them together, you’ve got your own team. Travel, go!”
The details emerge after the finishing date for the club’s new stadium at Mac Point was quietly delayed until 2031.
The venue, expected to cost $1.13 billion, will be roofed and hold 23,000 seats at Hobart’s Macquarie Point, approved by Tasmanian parliament last year.
“The update now is that the new Mac Point Stadium will be ready in 2031. 2028 is the first season, so that’s three full seasons at Hobart’s Ninja Stadium, and also Launceston’s UTAS Stadium,” Ralph continued.
“Gale says, in his words: ‘It’s not ideal’. But, he does admit it might mean more games across Launceston than across Ninja (Stadium). Launceston just had a $120m renovation, it will be an elite stadium.”
“You actually have to offer Tasmania three full years to say: ‘We want to win these people back’ … I think those three years are even more important than they’ve ever been, given the lack of a stadium at Mac Point.”
The Devils will play their first VFL match this Saturday afternoon against Coburg at North Hobart Oval, two seasons before their AFL debut.
However, the lack of a permanent home for the first three years could deter potential recruits, according to Gullan.
“The biggest issue is a player going there … Three years, going all over the state. If I’m a star — let’s go with Ryley Sanders — he’ll be 26 when the stadium is finally built, he would’ve had eight years in the AFL. Why would you go earlier than that?” Gullan questioned.
“I don’t think he’s going there, but his name keeps on coming up. Why would he go before that fancy, billion-dollar stadium’s there to welcome him?”
