The Gold Coast Suns unsuccessfully challenged the one-game ban of captain James Tsitas at the VFL tribunal ahead of the VFL Grand Final this weekend. Tsitas could not overturn his suspension at the tribunal. The club will now decide whether there are grounds for an appeal.
The ban followed an incident late in the first quarter of the Suns’ reserves 15-point victory over Box Hill Hawks.
The Greek-Australian had collected Hawks player Jacob Koschitzke high in a marking contest, resulting in the 23-year-old collapsing to the turf.
Obvious concerns had arisen that the youngster was concussed, but he recovered and kicked a goal following a 50m penalty.
Commentators were split on whether the 28-year-old was going to get suspended.
Three-time Brisbane Lions premiership player Chris Johnson was sure he would miss the grand final. In contrast, Hawthorn premiership winner Campbell Brown described how he saw both sides of the coin, calling it “touch and go”.
“(Tsitas) didn’t follow through with a swinging arm, but it was up there to spoil. You hope, as a player, and I’ve been there, that Koschitzke gets up and plays the game out,” he said.
“It was a genuine spoiling attempt. In fact, he got a piece of the ball (and) the forearm hit Koschitzke in the head.
VFL commentator Jason Bennett also spotted the critical detail.
“It’s important to note it was a clenched fist, but the contact was made with the forearm, not the fist,” he said.
“A moment James Tsitas, I’m sure, would wish he could take back.”
The incident was graded careless conduct, medium impact and high contact, warranting a week’s suspension.
Gold Coast challenged the ban of the player who has averaged over 21 disposals and 3.4 tackles a game this season and collected 24 touches in the prelim win.
Club football boss Wayne Campbell said the club believed they had a “strong case” and was looking forward to the VFL Tribunal.”
The hearing took place at 5.30pm on Tuesday.
Perhaps in a premature sign of the club’s confidence in their challenge, Tsitas took part in a grand final promotional photo shoot on Monday.
The Greek, unsuccessful in overturning his ban, may be unable to win his third reserves flag, having won two in the SANFL before joining the Suns at the end of 2021.
