Wangaratta Rovers' Alex Marklew cleared for Wangaratta derby clash, Bulldog banned

The tribunal determined there was insufficient force to deem the action a strike.

Marklew, who pleaded not guilty, argued he made contact with Jewell with an open palm to the chest after he was slung to the ground by the Wodonga defender.

He said his only intention was to stand up for himself after being slung and wasn't aiming to hurt Jewell after an initial push and shove before he was taken to ground.

After some discussion, Jewell rated the force to be of medium impact and was not enough to knock him off balance.

Reporting umpire Dale Caddy argued in his evidence Marklew struck Jewell with a clenched first and reported him for striking and escorted him from the field.

However, the evidence from both players and witness Raven Jolliffe was sufficient to deem it was an open palm.

Tribunal chairman Wayne Taylor was satisfied contact wasn't made with a closed fist, but still regarded it as a striking action.

However, the fact Jewell had not been knocked back a result and referred to it as "normal" contact in a game of football carried enough weight to have the charge dismissed.

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In the second case on the night, Wodonga vice-captain Jacob Barber was issued a reprimand after he entered a plea of guilty for intentionally striking Jolliffe in a melee soon after the incident involving Marklew and Jewell.

The video evidence showed Barber enter the melee in an attempt to stop Jolliffe who was in a wrestle with Isaac Cassidy in the bottom of the pack.

Barber admitted "it was silly" for him to have made contact to Jolliffe with a low impact blow to his midriff.

It was confirmed by Jolliffe's advocate Barry Sullivan there was little impact and no remonstration from either player afterwards.

The tribunal took into account it was Barber's first appearance before at tribunal in 294 games of football across all ages and the fact he pleaded guilty as the deciding factors for a reprimand.

Fellow Wodonga player Jayse Brown was unable to clear his name after he was banned for one week, with a further two matches suspended until the end of 2022, for engaging in rough conduct, also against Jolliffe.

Brown's intentions were of a similar nature to Barber as he attempted to split up Jolliffe and Cassidy.

A suspension this season counted against Brown when determining the penalty.

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