Geelong has been handed an official warning by the AFL after milestone forward Tom Hawkins was found holding a mobile phone during the lightning delay at the MCG yesterday (Monday).
Vision from the rooms showed Hawkins being handed the phone by one of the Cats’ ten staff members authorised to have a phone during the match.
The AFL was satisfied with Geelong’s explanation that the 350-gamer was checking the weather radar.
“Geelong reinforced to the AFL that all player and staff phones (those not Authorised Device Users), were securely locked in a case as per standard process to comply with the AFL Rules,” the AFL said in a statement.
“While the interaction was unintentional, it serves as an important reminder to all clubs that mobile phone usage is restricted to only authorised device users during the duration of a match.”
Geelong maintained its unbeaten start to the season with a 36-point win.
