Sydney has altered its mind and will appeal the severity of Luke Parker’s six-game VFL suspension.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Swans opted to dispute the ruling, which was handed down the night before following a protracted VFL Tribunal session.
If the appeal is denied, Parker will not be able to return to the AFL until at least late July. Sydney said on their club’s website shortly after the hearing that they had accepted the tribunal’s judgment.
But by late Wednesday afternoon, they had decided to contest the duration of the prohibition.
Parker was taken directly to the tribunal following a hefty hit in a VFL game last Friday night that hospitalized Frankston opponent Josh Smith.
The Swans star, who stated in his testimony that he had apologized to Smith, has not played senior football this season.
The VFL could have suspended him for four games, but instead decided to refer the case to a tribunal hearing.
It is unknown when the appeal will be considered, as the Swans pleaded guilty and merely argued over the severity of the punishment at Tuesday’s hearing.
They aimed for a four-week ban. In imposing the sentence, tribunal chairman Tim Bourke stated that Parker had failed in his duty of care to Smith.
Parker sprinted past the ball before slowing down and colliding with Smith. The incident was categorized as careless conduct, significant impact, and high contact.
Parker has played 283 AFL games for the Swans, and teammate Dane Rampe expressed confidence earlier on Wednesday that he will play a role in their season.
Sydney is currently in first place and will play the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night at Marvel Stadium.
“(My) immediate reaction is I’m feeling for a mate who’s missing some more footy, and I’m obviously respectful of the Frankston player who’s injured,” Rampe said after arriving in Melbourne.
“But on a personal level, I’m just concerned for a friend who has had a difficult start to the year, and that’s where it stands.
“I am still confident that Luke Parker will play a role in our season. He knows it, and I believe we all do. It will definitely be later than we had anticipated, but the story has not finished, if that’s what you’re asking”.
