Anglesea gun Tom Couch’s previously unblemished record across a playing career dating back to 1999 has seen his suspension for a bump on Torquay captain Ben McNamara reduced by a week.
AFL Barwon’s Match Review Panel offered Couch a three-match ban with an early guilty plea for the final-quarter incident.
It left McNamara with a concussion that will cause him to miss at least two matches under the newly introduced protocols.
AFL Barwon’s Match Review Panel graded the bump as intentional conduct, high contact, and high impact.
However, the 36-year-old took the case to the tribunal to have his clean playing history considered when determining his penalty, which is allowed under AFL Victoria rules, to reduce the suspension to two weeks.
Following a submission by advocate Gary Carson, which revealed Couch had never been reported or received a yellow or red card, a short deliberation by the tribunal panel of Werner Weigl (chair), Rob Carter, and Ron Drew agreed his history was worthy of the ban being reduced.
Speaking to K rock Football following the hearing, Couch said he was remorseful.
“My thoughts are with Ben and his family,” the former Melbourne player said.
“I just wanted the opportunity tonight to show how remorseful I was because it was not intentional.
“I’m just really sorry for how he’s feeling right now. I’ve been in that situation, and it’s horrible.
“I’m thinking of him and hoping he can get back on the field.”
Couch will miss meetings with Newcomb and Portarlington before being free to return for what looms as a defining clash with fellow double-chance contenders Geelong Amateur in Round 17.
X: @krockfootball
