WANGARATTA Rovers star Daniel Archer will miss Saturday’s crucial clash with Yarrawonga after copping a one-match ban for striking last night.
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In a fiery hearing, that saw the Hawks and Pies trade several barbs while giving evidence, Archer was found guilty of striking Wangaratta’s Matt Hedin in Sunday’s thrilling derby.
Despite boasting an “outstanding” record, the tribunal said it had to give Archer a ban because he did not accept the evidence it agreed with.
The Hawks did not ask for a reprimand at any point during sentencing.
Former Rovers president Mark Booth, acting as Archer’s advocate, accused reporting umpire Brendan Norden of a conflict of interest.
Norden’s son, Xavier, plays for the Pies.
Booth also said former AFL player Archer had been “accosted” more than once by Pies’ players while out in Wangaratta.
He said Archer had “done extremely well” to keep his cool, despite the constant attention.
Felix Gamze, representing Hedin, said he was “disappointed” by the attacks on his club from Booth.
Hedin told the tribunal Archer had punched him in the jaw after a brief scuffle between the pair in the second quarter.
“I’d say it was a fair whack,” Hedin said.
Archer was baffled by the suggestion and denied punching Hedin at any point.
It was the first time Archer had been reported in his career.
The tribunal said it was a “difficult” decision to suspend the star forward.
Albury ruckman Aisake O’hAilpin will miss the Tigers' next two games after being found guilty of striking Lavington’s Chris Annett.
The case, which did not finish until after midnight, was on the verge of being withdrawn after inconclusive video and umpire evidence.
However, Annett was called to give evidence and told the tribunal O'hAilpin had punched him with "7/10" force, a claim the former Carlton rookie denied.
O'hAilpin's poor tribunal record did not help his cause.
High-profile AFL player advocate Iain Findlay represented O'hAilpin at last night's hearing.
Meanwhile, Brock Knights is free to play for Wodonga Raiders on Saturday.
Knights was cleared of striking North Albury’s Nick Holman in Saturday’s 123-point rout of the Raiders at Birallee Park.