West Coast Defender Tom Barrass Fails to Reduce Suspension Despite ‘Good Guy’ Defense

Star West Coast defender Tom Barrass will be sidelined for Round 7’s game against Gold Coast after an unsuccessful attempt to lessen his one-match ban at the AFL Tribunal . Barrass faced the tribunal following a rough tackle on Michael Walters of the Dockers during the recent western derby, resulting in a charge of careless conduct with medium impact and high contact.

Seeking to downgrade the impact to low and citing ‘exceptional and compelling circumstances’ akin to Charlie Cameron ‘s successful use of the ‘good bloke’ clause, West Coast put forth arguments, including Barrass’s clean record and community involvement, with support from teammates Jeremy McGovern and former Eagles Chair Russell Gibbs .

During the hearing, the tribunal deliberated for over an hour and upheld the decision that Barrass’s tackle had a medium impact. Tribunal chair Renee Enbom stated that there was insufficient evidence of exceptional circumstances to warrant reducing the ban to a fine, drawing a distinction between Barrass’s case and Cameron’s previous incident.

Barrass’s contributions to the McGovern Foundation and advocacy work against domestic violence were highlighted, along with his role at Hale School teaching meditation to students. The defender recounted two post-match interactions with Walters where the Fremantle player downplayed the incident.

The AFL counsel countered claims regarding the impact of Walters’ head hitting the ball first, asserting that the tackle’s force was excessive. Despite Barrass’s 138-game clean record, the tribunal maintained that the tackle’s severity warranted the one-match suspension.

As a result, Barrass will be absent in West Coast’s upcoming clash against Gold Coast , compounding the team’s lineup challenges, including Toby Greene ‘s upheld suspension. The ruling signifies a setback for the Eagles, underscoring the tribunal’s stance on player conduct and safety.