St Mary’s playing assistant coach Ryan Pendlebury will miss Sunday’s clash with fellow GFNL finals contender Leopold as he waits to have an appeal heard against a lengthy suspension handed down by a tribunal in northern Victoria.
Pendlebury, who joined the Saints ahead of this season, faced the Goulburn Murray tribunal on Wednesday night and was banned for seven matches after being served with a Notice of Breach from his time as playing coach of Euroa in the Goulburn Valley League.
The former VFL star pleaded not guilty but was found to have in January 2024 breached Section 9.2 (a) of the AFL National Community Football Policy Handbook, which states: A Person or, where applicable, a Controlling Body must not engage in conduct which brings, or is likely to bring, the interests of Australian Football or the Controlling Body into disrepute.
K rock Football is unaware of the nature of the allegations made in the Notice of Breach.
“Ryan has appealed that decision and is awaiting an appeal hearing date from AFL Victoria,” St Mary’s Sporting Club said in a statement.
“As such, he is ineligible to play this weekend in our match against Leopold.
“St Mary’s Sporting Club will continue to support Ryan through this process.”
AFL Goulburn Murray has been contacted for comment.
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