WESTERN Storm faces an anxious wait to find out whether livewire forward Darryn Thomas will face the TSL tribunal this week after he was reported on a stomping charge in yesterday’s game against Launceston at Aurora Stadium.
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The 21-year-old Thomas is facing a life ban from the game after accruing 16 weeks of suspension in NTFA and State League matches.
The talented goal sneak has continued to play with the Storm this season, with possible de-registration as a player under AFL regulations hanging over his head, if he is found guilty of any further on-field offence.
Thomas was reported in the third quarter of yesterday’s game for allegedly treading or stomping on the leg or ankle of Launceston defender Tom Cleary after a marking contest.
The incident will come under video scrutiny by the match review panel, which will have to decide whether the contact was of a serious enough impact to warrant him fronting the tribunal or negligible enough for the charge to be dismissed.
The Storm will be sweating on the outcome and can ill-afford to lose Thomas a week out from the start of TSL finals.
It would be devastating for the player concerned facing a possible career-ending ban if he fronts the tribunal and is found guilty.
Storm coach Mitch Hills confirmed after the game that Thomas had been reported, but said he did not see the incident and could not comment.
