The AFL has confirmed that it will not appeal the outcome of Willie Rioli‘s tribunal hearing, despite admitting it does not agree with the decision to overturn his ban.
Rioli was initially handed a one-match suspension by the AFL’s match review officer (MRO), before the West Coast Eagles successfully challenged the call at the tribunal on Tuesday night.
The AFL confirmed its decision in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
READ MORE: Woodbridge explains where Barty stands among all-time greats
READ MORE: Ash Barty announces shock tennis retirement at age 25
THEN AND NOW: How $16.50-an-hour Barty avoided tennis ‘tragedy’
“Due to the nature of the relevant appeal grounds available to it, the AFL considers that the prospects of a successful appeal in the circumstances are low and thus has determined not to appeal the tribunal’s decision,” a league statement read, in part.
“The AFL considers that bringing an appeal without reasonable prospects of success is not an appropriate course for it to take.
“The AFL remains strongly committed to reducing the incidence of head high contact and will continue to impose sanctions where it considers it is appropriate to do so and in accordance with the rules.
“The hearing and determination by the independent AFL Tribunal of challenges brought by players in respect of decisions of the MRO is a long-established part of our important disciplinary system.
“The AFL strongly supports the AFL tribunal and acknowledges the complexity of the task of determining the outcome of incidents such as the matter at hand.”
Rioli had his one-match suspension overturned after the tribunal was “not satisfied” that he’d “engaged in rough conduct”.
“Incidents such as this, where the question revolves around whether and how the player is contesting the ball are not easy,” a statement from the tribunal chairperson read.
“This tribunal will be astute to uphold any charge where a player was initially intending to contest the ball but changed that intention and in doing so breached his duty of care.
“That is not this case. Player Rioli had eyes for the ball as he entered the contest. There is no doubt he braced for contact a split second before contact but when doing so he did not cease to contest the ball. The way in which he did so was not unreasonable.
“We should note that we do find that the contact was high but nonetheless the charge is not made out because he did not engage in rough conduct.”
The tribunal verdict and the AFL’s consequent decision to not appeal the ruling means Rioli is free to play in the Eagles’ round two clash against North Melbourne on Sunday.