Albury’s Sam Schulz could miss the rest of the season after being suspended for six weeks by the Ovens and Murray tribunal on Wednesday night.
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Schulz was found guilty of engaging in rough conduct against Wodonga Raiders’ Brodie Filo on Saturday.
With just four home and away games remaining, the Tigers are more than likely to finish the year as minor premiers, meaning they will have to lose the major semi-final final and win the preliminary final for the Schulz to be eligible to play in the grand final.
Schulz pleaded not guilty to the charge of rough conduct which left Filo with a broken jaw.
Filo couldn’t attend the hearing due to his injury, but was contacted via phone.
Tribunal chairman Wayne Taylor revealed despite the conduct being deemed careless and not intentional, the fact Filo will miss at least six weeks of football meant the punishment should be the same.
Schulz, who said he had watched the footage 100 times, admitted there was nothing he could have done to avoid the contact.
“If you think you can mark the ball, you go for it,” he said.
“I only looked at the ball, not thinking about what was coming.
“It was never my intention to hurt him.”
High-profile AFL advocate Iain Findlay flew to Albury to represent the 24-year-old Tiger and said at the beginning of the hearing he didn’t believe Schulz had a case to answer.
It remains unclear if Albury will appeal the suspension.
Lavington forward Adam Prior will also face an extended stint on the sidelines after being found guilty of striking Wangaratta’s Zac Hedin.
A guilty plea was entered by Prior through his advocate Brett Sanson.
Factoring in his recent record, Prior was handed a four-week suspension, with one week suspended, meaning he’ll be free to play in the Panthers’ final round clash against the Raiders.