Myrtleford without Elijah Wales for Yarrawonga clash due to suspension

The tribunal upheld the two-match set penalty offered to Wales for the incident with Lavington's Adam Butler in Saturday's clash against the Panthers at McNamara Reserve, but opted to suspend one of those matches until the end of the 2021 season.

Wales pleaded guilty to the charge.

Vision of the incident showed Wales leaving the ground in attempt to mark the ball before he made contact with the chest and shoulder of Butler, who was knocked over.

Wales admitted he was late to the contest and once he'd realised he could no longer mark the ball he turned his body to protect himself and Butler.

"My intention was to mark the ball," Wales said via phone link.

"I don't think I could have done anything else in that situation."

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Butler told the tribunal he was winded after the contact and left the field to catch his breath, but returned and played out the game.

"There was no contact to the head," Butler said.

"I wasn't expecting it and I probably thought I had more space."

Myrtleford player advocate Ian Wales argued a two-week ban was a knock to Elijah's character and felt a severe reprimand would be a suitable punishment given it was his first tribunal appearance.

"I accept it could have caused injury, but I believe he did what he could to avoid injury," he said.

"It could have caused a lot more damage if he hadn't have turned his body."

Tribunal chairman Wayne Taylor said the panel couldn't be satisfied the act was intentional, but believed it had the potential to cause serious injury.

Wales' clean record was considered in the suspension of one match from the set penalty.

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