TOPIC:

I mentioned this several days ago on 2 running threads
I thought the conclusion should also be noted


West Perth angry over Manning suspension
Shayne Hope: The West Australian October 10, 2013, 8:07 am
West Perth have questioned the integrity of the WAFL tribunal and report review process after Kody Manning was this week handed a three-match ban for a rough conduct charge emanating from last month's grand final.
But while the Falcons are unhappy, league officials maintain the systems have worked well this season.
Manning was initially offered a two-game ban for a late hit on East Perth's Arthur Bennell, which was upgraded from one match due to loading applied to charges from grand finals.
The 50 per cent loading has been applied since 2010 and Manning's charge was rounded up to two matches.
West Perth challenged the charge at the tribunal, which resulted in a four-game ban. It was cut to three on appeal.
Manning could not be offered a discount for a guilty plea due to an existing bad record from the past three seasons. Furious West Perth president Brett Raponi pointed to a raft of rough conduct charges that had led to players being penalised with reprimands this season as proof of inconsistency at the tribunal and report review panel.
"The inconsistency of the WAFL tribunal leaves a lot to be desired," Raponi said.
"There was an East Perth co-captain (Craig Wulff) found guilty twice this year at the tribunal and both times got reprimands. Then you have one guy (Manning) go up and cop three weeks. I think the player's been harshly dealt with and we're, as a club, dumbfounded with the verdict."
WAFL operations manager Cameron Knapton refuted Rap-oni's claims of inconsistency.
"It has been consistent and we've been happy with what's gone on there," Knapton said.
"Manning's does look high … it's (the penalty) because of the 50 per cent loading."

A letter from Kody Mannings father on the WP face book page

By Mark Manning
Good Morning.
For those who weren't aware, Kody Manning #47 received a 1 week suspension with a loading of another week (2 week suspension) for his bump on EP player - Bennell - in the GF.
WPFC went to bat for Kody and sought to have the charge downgraded at the Magistrate tribunal - The attending Magistrate saw fit to 'upgrade' the charge from low to high and with 'intent' - his decision was to increase the penalty and give Kody a 4 WEEKS suspension. (This I believe the 'highest penalty' handed for the entire year of 2013.)
WPFC once again stood behind Kody returning to a new '3' man tribunal to endeavor to bring this penalty back to reasonable and fair charge.
This was last night wed 9th Oct, ... Kody has had 1 week removed from the upgraded charge seeing him charged with now with a 'medium grade' offence and the 4 week reduced to 3 weeks .
I would like to personally thank the WPFC for its continued support of its players and in this case, my son Kody.
You are a credit to the football community and as a club a beacon of support to your players and to your supporters - there is much work you do behind the scenes that I hope to have recognized in some small way by this post.
Rather than continue with a comment on any other Football body of bureaucrats / officials / rule makers, Ill decline to do so –
Thank you -- Mark Manning.

Comment: Bill Smith:- Crap call by the WAFL-they have proven all year they are out of touch. Can’t wait to see Kody back in action in 2014

What can you say as the Above says it all. Many posters on here who are eye witnesses to offences laugh when the see a Reprimand handed out to the likes of e.g Wulff who should not of even played in the GF and whilst playing it went it with a elbow to the Head on Jay Van Berlo.

Now I watched the replay of the GF and didnt see the incident (which the ABC boys are quick to pick out if something major happens didnt make a issue of it/) I didnt even know Kody had been reported until Growler brought it up on another post. From what I read no injury was done to Bennell..

Bottom line the Tribunal is a joke and has been for years. Sad people that they are they are incapable of making decisions and getting them right.

I have copied my post in another thread here as it is relevant.

As for the tribunal. It is a farce and always has been. The "high standing" public magistrate who is the chairman couldnt have been more subjective and partial over the years. Surprised he has never been reprimanded by the legal profession for the dodginess of his WAFL stint.

Like always the WAFC/WAFL will always back the tribunal and the umpires, despite their brazen and blatant mis truths. Koby will have to cop this but surely its time to stand up for our players and the integrity of the comp.

AFL listed players in line for selection are always cleared of offences to suit WC or Freo as well. Wulff was allowed to play the GF after a similar offence. there is no independance or objectiveness of the tribunal. They are never held accountable and appeals usually just back the tribunal like they are a litle boys club.

Leedy and I chatted in the rooms after with Manning and he was stoked with his bump on Bennell and so were his teammates..it is a disgraceful outcome and no matter what lapdog Knapton says it is inconsistent..going on this Wulf should have got 6 weeks then!!

Does anyone know at what part of the game this happened so I can have a look at it on the Disc?
Its ok have found it on Perth Now article
Falcons hard man Manning was reported for rough conduct as well for a bump on East Perth small forward Arthur Bennell in the third quarter

Very tough call on young Manning. Penalty doesnt reflect the nature of other crimes this year. What is Knapton sucking on?

Sorry guys but after seeing the footage Kody was gone.

It happened at the 1848 of the third quarter mark or 2h4s10min23sec into the game

I did mention in one of my earlier reviews of a game that I thought Kody was borderline for a few of his tackles in that game as was ANGRY.
I was corrected by another poster who said he was just hard at it and let it go.

Kody came from a long way off at least 20 mtrs when he ran at Bennell at full speed
He did jump into the air (see first 2 pics) and struck Bennell in the head. with his shoulder
A tackle that was not required.
There were WP players a lot closer to Bennell

Ok Bennell was up quickly but it was a definate head high tackle to the head and the tribunal got it right. The player could of been seriously injured.

As for the penalty well I think the club should of looked at the footage a few times and they should of taken the first punishment a 2 WEEK BAN!

If you have a copy of the game sure you would agree.

Have taken a few grabs of the tackle. Sorry about the quality but of video.
Click on image for a larger size.

I have no problem with the hit.. it's a GF for f*ck sake! & who cares about the other incidents with other players like Wulff.. WP won the flag & that is all that matters.

Ok Terror your call but GF aside it was a bad hit.
If I was on the Tribunal I would of done the same 2 weeks no questions asked.
Gotta look at it from both sides and the WPFC had a bit of Tunnel vision here. As much as I dont like sticking up for Ferals what other way could you go for the sake of the game?
If an EPFC player had of done it to a WP Player I am sure your views would of been different..

I am surprised and disappointed that the Club didnt take the original 2 weeks and the GRAND FINAL and just move on...
The WPFC by their Melodramatics has blow it out of proportion.

Ok if it was Swan or Wulff I would of been all for it (Guilty)..but Young Bennell has done nothing to make me think he deserved what he got from Kody

Very fair assessment Cardy, my personal view is no harm to the player so I would think a warning or one week is heaps. You bring up some good points Cardy about the attitudes of some in the WAFL and they exist at every club.