The young Saint was reported in the third quarter for spitting at Wodonga's Harrison Kitching in the reserve grade clash against the Bulldogs at McNamara Reserve on Saturday and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Wales was caught in a tackle by Kitching, which was ruled holding the ball, but sustained a cut to the eye and was asked to leave the field under the blood rule.

Reporting umpire Chloe Beck said in her evidence that Wales verbally remonstrated after the decision was made and moments later saw him turn his head and heard him spit in the direction of Kitching.

Beck then produced a yellow card and reported Wales for spitting as he was leaving the ground to receive attention for the cut.

Once Wales had left the ground, Beck said she confirmed with the timekeepers box that a report had been made which was acknowledged by the display of a yellow flag.

She also said she confirmed the report with Myrtleford officials at the three-quarter-time break.

When asked to recount, Kitching said Wales complained about the decision and then spat at him from close proximity and revealed some of Wales' saliva hit him underneath his chin.

"I heard when the umpire told him he was reported," Kitching said.

"I was close enough for the spit to land on me."

Both Beck and Kitching deemed it as an intentional act.

ALSO IN SPORT:

Wales was contacted by phone during the hearing and said he had no recollection of being reported and was purely leaving the ground under the blood rule.

"I wiped the blood off my face and a bit was in my mouth so as I walked past I spat at the ground," Wales said.

"I didn't hear I was reported or get shown a yellow card."

After a lengthy deliberation, the charge was proven with a minimum of two weeks the suggested penalty from the umpires' advocate.

Myrtleford player advocate Ian Wales argued anything more than two weeks would be extreme.

Tribunal chairman Mark Schlink handed down the penalty of three weeks and believes Wales didn't meet the duty of care.

"We regard it as a very serious offence," he said.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: