Jack Graham cops one week suspension

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Ross Howie will be Tribunal chairman tonight, the jury members are Wayne Henwood, Jason Johnson and Richard Loveridge.

Jeff Gleeson QC is appearing for the AFL, Sam Tovey for Jack Graham.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is at the Tribunal to support Jack Graham.

We're just getting underway now.

Graham pleading not guilty to striking charge. Challenging on basis that strike was not intentional

Gleeson for AFL now taking the Tribunal through vision of Graham's clash with Zorko.

Medical report by Dr Andrew Smith for Lions tabled. Says Zorko wasn't treated and didn't required ongoing treatment. Not expected to miss any training or games.

Jack Graham now giving evidence.

Graham says it was not his intent to strike Zorko. Says trying to apply pressure, bump and push him over.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-04-17/jack-graham-tribunal-live

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Graham says his role in midfield is to apply as much pressure as he can. Says those instructions come from Hardwick. Says he's trying to force opponent to make an error by tackling, smothering.

Says pressure is something the club values very highly and is why he gets a game.

Graham says club has a pressure rating system - he ranks No.1 on that and is top 3 in the AFL.

He ranks No.1 at Richmond for tackles, maybe top 10 for AFL.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-04-17/jack-graham-tribunal-live

It was Dimma's fault

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Graham on Zorko collision, says he was in the contest. Zorko intercepted handball. Went to apply pressure and bump him with a view to putting him off balance.

Graham: came towards him with forearms, hit Zorko on upper arm. Felt he was too late to tackle, felt he could force an error, possible force him to kick it out on full, with his challenge.

Was trying to make contact with his upper arm to put him off balance. Knew if he got him higher he would be giving away a free kick.

Said he was keeping his arms still so he could push him over and get him off balance.

Accepts he made high contact BUT was trying with his forearms to push him on his upper arm and follow through with his body. Hoped that would force kick out of bounds on the ball or force a clanger.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-04-17/jack-graham-tribunal-live

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Graham says high contact occurred when his forearm slipped up and got him high. Was raining at the time. Initially hit his upper arm and the rain caused his arm to slip up and hit Zorko on the jaw.

Also says Zorko slumped down when he kicked the ball. Had expected him to rise up as he was kicking the ball.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-04-17/jack-graham-tribunal-live

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Graham now being cross-examined by Gleeson for the AFL.

Gleeson says first point of contact occurred some time after Zorko kicked the ball. Says impossible for him to have forced an error.

Graham concedes that is the case. But when asked whether he wants to change his evidence re: his intention, Graham sticks to his version of events, i.e. his intent was to apply pressure.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-04-17/jack-graham-tribunal-live

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Graham says he was trying to push Zorko off balance after he got his kick away. Concedes he wasn't trying to smother or tackle.

Gleeson puts it to Graham that there was nothing usual about the way Zorko kicks the ball. Graham agrees.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-04-17/jack-graham-tribunal-live

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Tovey now re-examining Graham. Graham concedes in retrospect he had no chance to effect the disposal - was too late - but maintains at the time he thought he had a chance to.

Says he wasn't expecting Zorko to execute a stab pass and that when he did so his body slumped.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-04-17/jack-graham-tribunal-live

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Damien Hardwick now giving evidence.

Hardwick says the centre of the game plan at Richmond is defensive intent.

Chairman Howie asks how this is relevant.

Tovey for Graham says it goes to the player's intent.

Gleeson doesn't object to evidence.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-04-17/jack-graham-tribunal-live

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Hardwick says:
- Graham's role is to win the ball but that he has some elite qualities to work from contest to contest and close down space for the opposition.

- Graham rates "very high" for his defensive pressure.

- Provides a great contest, is incredible for closing down opposition space.

Hardwick says he expects his players to apply pressure fairly and within the rules.

Of Zorko incident:
- Graham expected to put physical pressure on
- Graham's pressure forced Zorko not to kick long down the line.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-04-17/jack-graham-tribunal-live

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A light moment.

Only one question for Hardwick on cross-examination - Gleeson asked him: 'Players don't always follow instructions, do they?'

Hardwick conceded this point with a laugh.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-04-17/jack-graham-tribunal-live

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Tovey now running through video examples of careless strikes:

- Jeff Garlett on Phil Davis

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-04-17/jack-graham-tribunal-live



- Neil Balme on Geoff Southby .

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Gleeson says only issue is whether strike is intentional or careless.

Refers to AFL guidelines - says an intention may be formed on the spur of the moment.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-04-17/jack-graham-tribunal-live

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Gleeson says Graham's raised forearm is relevant to his intent. Was he realistically trying to force an error or was he trying to strike?

Open to Tribunal to find the unlikelihood he was trying to force an error, initial point contact and end point of contact consistent with a strike.

The lateness of contact is a factor. Says Graham's body positioning shows he knew he would be too late to force an error.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-04-17/jack-graham-tribunal-live

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Tovey says Graham's action was not the same as a strike. Having a prolonged debate with Chairman Howie on this point.

Say initial contact not made with intent to strike BUT caused a subsequent strike to the head, which was careless.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-04-17/jack-graham-tribunal-live

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Tovey concedes Graham intended to make contact, but not to strike.

Says no swinging arm motion. Arm slipped up after initial contact, but this was not intended.

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-04-17/jack-graham-tribunal-live