Key Lauderdale utility Ben McGuiness could miss the State League grand final from a match review panel that reprimanded coach Darren Winter's sideline antics.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Winter, who was banned for six weeks after an umpire outburst in the 2017 grand final, was cited for a similar verbal attack in a seven-point preliminary final win against Launceston on Saturday.
He had been charged with a low-level offence of using abusive, insulting or obscene language towards or in relation to an umpire.
Winter has escaped a one-match suspension following an early guilty plea and is free to coach the decider against North Launceston.
The controversial coach, who has guided Lauderdale since its entry in 2009, will be seeking the club's first TSL premiership on Saturday.
But McGuiness, who has played roles both back and forward for Winter, may not be as fortunate.
He was booked for striking Launceston's Ben Killalea.
The MRP determined the strike was intentional, with low impact but high contact.
TIME TO DECIDE:
- AFL need to believe, says Brad Green
- Q&A: Chris Fagan on Tasmania's bid for an AFL team
- 'There's a thirst': Brady, Thorp, Sanders talk logistics
- Tasmanian AFL team: Getting the economics right
- Footy pathway needs earlier start: Sanders
- Time for Tas to sever team ties, says former AFL boss
- Editorial: Now is the time to believe
- AFL bid is now or never
- Sign the pledge here
McGuinness was offered a base sanction of two games that would be reduced down to a one-match suspension should he decided to take an early guilty plea.
But McGuiness had little choice but to reject the grand final ban, which forced the independent tribunal to sit on Tuesday night.
Launceston coach Mitch Thorp was charged for wrestling during a melee with Lauderdale's Bryce Walsh.
Both players accepted a reprimanded after an early guilty plea that reduced the penalty from one match.
Thorp's teammate Tim Bristow also escaped penalty over a low-level offence of abusive, insulting or obscene language towards or in relation to an umpire.
The Blues centreman was reprimanded after taking the early guilty plea.
North Launceston's Will Haley has been cleared to play for the Bombers in the development league grand final against Tigers.
Haley had been reported for making forceful front-on contact against Lauderdale opponent Corey Laoumtzis.
But the MRP had deemed there was no further action required after the contact in which Haley collided with Laoumtzis was considered to be in the course of play.
Subscriptions are available here.
Sign up to our Sport email here.
Know a junior sport star? Make a nomination for our 2019 Junior Sports Awards here.