Colac teenager Jack Skinner has been suspended for six matches after being found guilty of striking Bell Park’s Tom Pearson.
The Geelong Falcons graduate faced the AFL Barwon Tribunal tonight (Wednesday) after being cited by the Match Review Panel after video evidence of the off-the-ball incident in the Opening Round clash at Central Reserve on April 5 was provided by the Dragons.
The MRP assessed the second-quarter incident in which Pearson suffered a concussion and was stretchered off the ground as intentional conduct, high contact, and severe impact.
Skinner pleaded not guilty, but after a hearing lasting more than 90 minutes, the tribunal panel of Werner Weigl (chair), Rod Sodamaco, and Ron Drew delivered a guilty verdict.
The Port Melbourne VFL-listed 18-year-old was on debut for the Tigers after crossing from CDFNL club Colac Imperials.
The suspension rules Skinner out of football until the Round 9 meeting with Newtown & Chilwell on June 21.
The Tigers are unlikely to appeal the outcome.
Pearson will remain in the 21-day concussion protocol until April 26.
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