Richmond have had a massive pre-AFLW finals boost with star onballer Eilish Sheerin cleared of intentional umpire contact.
The tribunal deliberated for more than 90 minutes before finding her guilty instead of careless contact, which carries only a $200 fine.
Tribunal chair Renee Enbom made it clear in the verdict that had Sheerin been found guilty of the intentional charge, she would face a heavy suspension.
Sheerin smiled and rubbed her hands together after the verdict.
She was referred directly to the Tribunal for the unusual charge, following Saturday night’s Dreamtime in Darwin draw with Essendon.
In the chaotic end to the match, Sheerin pushed opponent Georgia Nanscawen at a stoppage with less than two minutes left and the Bombers midfielder fell over.
The umpire then fell over Nanscawen before quickly getting back to her feet.
“We agree with Sheerin’s submission that the primary offence was a very serious one,” Enbom said.
“We also agree with Sheerin’s evidence, that intentionally pushing an opponent into an umpire is contrary to the spirit of the game and risks the safety of the umpire.
“Had we been satisfied … that Sheerin had engaged in such conduct, then the sanction would have been a significant one, involved far more than a fine.”
In her evidence, Sheerin said she was “very sorry” the umpire had fallen over, adding the collision “wasn’t my intention”.
Sheerin said she was trying to minimise Nanscawen’s space at the stoppage and create room for herself.
“I didn’t expect her to go to ground,” she added.
Enbom said Sheerin’s evidence was “unequivocal’ that she did not mean to push Nanscawen into the umpire.
She added the Tribunal was not satisfied Sheerin had intended for the contact to happen.
“Sheerin’s explanation of what occurred is not inconsistent with the vision,” Enbom said.
“The push does not appear to involve much force. (Nanscawen) awkwardly falls to ground, which may be partly because she was off-balance … the umpire moves backwards and the collision occurs.”
Any ban would have been a massive blow for the Tigers, who are sixth and half a game off the double chance with one round before the finals.
Richmond’s ladder position will be determined by their home game on Sunday against second-placed Hawthorn. All but one of the games this weekend will shape the top eight.
At the start of the hearing, Richmond said they would plead guilty to a careless contact charge.
AFL advocate Amara Hughes argued the incident should be ruled as intentional – meaning a suspension – because the contact between Sheerin and Nanscawen was forceful.
Hughes also argued the umpire was “very clearly” in Sheerin’s line of sight, it was a conscious decision to push Nanscawen and the Essendon player’s contact with the umpire was “inevitable.”
Richmond advocate Jonathan Barreiro argued it was a normal football action and added it was “good football craft”.
“It’s not a situation where she’s tried to flatten her opponent,” he added.
Sheerin was best afield at the inaugural Dreamtime in Darwin clash and the two-time All-Australian is one of Richmond’s most important players.
