Monday 6 September 2010
Labrador’s premiership prospects received a huge boost today when the rough conduct charge against matchwinning ruckman Trent Knobel was withdrawn.
Knobel collided with Morningside’s Josh Brown when both dived for a contested ball during the Tigers’ stunning seven-point second semi-final win over the Panthers at Cooke-Murphy Oval yesterday.
Former AFL 75-gamer Knobel was reported by field umpire Brett Kronk, but a slow motion video replay of the incident convinced the man in charge to withdraw the charge.
The Tigers were hopeful last night that would be the result after viewing replays of the incident themselves, but official confirmation this afternoon was nonetheless a relief for player and club.
Knobel and Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt form the most imposing ruck combination in the league and both were effective despite the wet conditions at Labrador yesterday.
Mt Gravatt’s Bill Cleary was offered a points penalty on a lower scale striking charge from the first semi-final at Southport and the total, even with carryover points, did not warrant a penalty, making him free for Round 1 of next season.
