Wodonga Raiders’ captain Darren Petersen and all-rounder Jesse Griffiths have been suspended for one match.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The pair pleaded guilty to charges of dissent and swearing at an umpire.
The duo had originally rejected the offer of an early plea.
It means they’re free to finish the crucial round 12 fixture against New City, but will then miss the two-day clash against St Patrick’s.
“The independent tribunal took into consideration their plea, they accepted they were guilty and accepted they were sorry for what they did,” CAW’s John McMillan said.
“They were frustrated by the weather, it was hot, and they apologised to the umpies.”
The association received a report from umpires Bob Allan and Dan Bowden after the pair spoke to one of the officials during the break between innings.
It was the association’s first tribunal hearing of the season, and McMillan says the message is clear.
“The umpires are in charge, they control the game,” he said.
“We won’t tolerate it… if things aren’t going their way, it’s not a situation to abuse officials, especially umpires.”
Raiders’ coach Richard Harvey will address the playing group.
“Obviously we’ve got to bite our tongue, so to speak, and if the captain needs to speak up in regards to an issue off the field, let the captain speak,” he said.
Raiders will now turn their attention to the club’s most important match.
The club is trailing New City by 3.84 points in the battle for the wooden spoon, and given Raiders then face three finals contenders, they must win to have any realistic hope of ending a run of three successive wooden spoons since returning to provincial level.
Raiders posted 159, with the Phoenix 3-39.
“So obviously it’s pretty crucial in the first hour or so on Saturday, you try and get those couple of quick wickets and put pressure on the opposition shed,” Harvey said.