Wangaratta Rovers' Alex Marklew to face O and M tribunal on two charges

One charge is breaching the O and M's by-law and the other under AFL Victoria's Cyber Safety Policy.

The league launched an investigation after the incident and the investigations officer deemed it serious enough to be sent straight to the tribunal after an expletive-filled tirade against the umpire who charged him with striking Sam Jewell in the clash against Wodonga on June 26.

The charge was dismissed at the tribunal four days later.

Marklew then took to social media.

The Border Mail has elected not to publish the video, given its graphic content.

When contacted, the classy forward admitted he had no idea of the drama it would cause and when somebody suggested he take it off social media, he did so immediately.

He also offered an apology, suggesting his "heart sank" once he realised the serious nature of his actions.

The 25-year-old also said the initial report didn't have him in the "right head space".

Marklew is known as one of the biggest characters at the Hawks and often uses humour in his weekly video, but acknowledged this 'joke' backfired.

The tribunal's decision on Marklew will have a major impact on the club's fortunes.

He's the club's leading goalkicker with 21 from 11 games, including two in the pulsating two-goal win over Lavington in the last game on July 10.

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With the club losing access to its Sydney-Wollongong-based players Ryan Hebron, Cal McFadden and Sam Thorne, due to COVID restrictions, and also unable to field its three Gold Coast products for a short period, also due to the pandemic, it needs all 'hands on deck' to hold off Myrtleford and Wodonga Raiders to retain third spot and the double chance.

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