Werribee Centrals young gun Carmelo Saliba is ineligible to win this year’s GDFNL Rookie of the Year award after accepting a reprimand for an incident in Saturday’s loss to North Geelong.
The 17-year-old, who was a shoo-in to claim the honour, was cited by AFL Barwon’s Match Review Panel for striking Zach Schwennesen during the opening term of the clash at Galvin Park.
The incident was assessed as intentional contact, low impact, and contact to the body, drawing a one-match suspension.
However, the Centrals have lodged an early guilty plea, which leaves Saliba free to play in the final-round clash with Thomson.
K rock Football has confirmed with the GDFNL that Saliba, who leads the league goalkicking with one round remaining, is ineligible.
Saliba was also looked at for a strike on Schwennesen in the second quarter, which the MRP deemed not reportable.
The MRP scrutinised both incidents at North Geelong’s request.
Magpies star Pat Cleary was cleared of high contact on Centurion Josh MacDonald.
No MRP charge was laid against a spectator who allegedly struck Schwennesen.
It is understood the alleged perpetrator is not a member of Werribee Centrals.
Also in the GDFNL, Bell Post Hill’s Harry McIntyre is available for the final-round meeting with Bannockburn after accepting a reprimand for striking Winchelsea’s Harry Nagle.
The MRP assessed the incident during the second quarter of the Panthers’ win as intentional conduct, low impact, and contact to the body.
McIntyre’s early guilty plea reduced a one-match suspension to a reprimand.
In the BFNL, Portarlington captain Mitch Turnbull hopes to avoid a delayed start to the 2025 season by challenging his two-match suspension at the tribunal tomorrow (Wednesday) night.
He was cited for striking Queenscliff’s Luke Ford in the third quarter of the Demons’ one-point loss at Ron Evans Oval.
The MRP assessed the incident as careless conduct, medium impact, and high contact.
An early guilty plea would have reduced the ban to one match.
Couta Angus Naylor will be free for the opening round of next season after accepting a reprimand for rough conduct on Demons star Connor Menadue in the opening term.
Newcomb’s Blake Ritchie has also taken the early offer of a reprimand for striking Geelong Amateur gun Tom Gribble.
No charges were laid in the GFNL.
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