YARRAWONGA has called for more protection for champion midfielder Craig Ednie after the Morris Medal fancy yesterday accepted a one-match penalty for striking Lavington’s Justin Koschitzke.
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Ednie begrudgingly took the suspension instead of running the risk of missing the qualifying final, almost certainly against the Panthers at W.J. Findlay Oval on August 30.
He was caught retaliating with Koschitzke by field umpire Jason Raine and boundary umpire Jakob Elvin during the second quarter on Saturday.
Pigeon president Glenn Brear said Ednie was bitterly disappointed to miss the final round clash against Wodonga Raiders.
“He’s not happy about it,” Brear said.
“For a bloke who has lasted as long as him in football for the pounding he gets and the lack of protection he gets is an absolute credit to himself.
“He’s not a fighter.
“He would get knocked around in the flyweights.
“We’re disappointed with the way he is treated by umpires.”
It is believed Ednie’s family and girlfriend left Lavington Oval soon after the incident in response to the abuse the ex-Richmond player received from sections of the crowd.
Ednie was one of the favourites to win the Morris Medal before the suspension.
The triple Yarrawonga premiership player is among the leaders in most media awards, but has become increasingly frustrated by the attention he has received in recent weeks.
Albury star Dean Polo also faces an anxious wait with the star Tiger to front the tribunal tomorrow night on a misconduct charge.
He was booked by field umpire Darren Askew and boundary umpire Symon Tardrew following an incident with Wodonga’s Dylan Beattie in the second quarter of Saturday’s match at Albury Sportsground.
Polo was runner-up to Yarrawonga’s Xavier Leslie in last year’s Morris Medal and is set to feature prominently again.
The tribunal hearing starts at 7.30pm.