Richmond's text message ploy backfires as defender cops huge ban at tribunal
Richmond's attempt to use a text message sent by Nathan Broad to youngster Patrick Parnell in a bid to have a suspension reduced at the tribunal has failed, with the Tigers defender slapped with a four-match ban.
Broad was referred directly to the tribunal for a dangerous tackle on Parnell in Richmond's win over Adelaide at the weekend.
The Tigers had argued for a three-week suspension for Broad, and hoped that the message sent to Parnell following the match would show the three-time premiership defender's good character.
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"Look, I don't want you to accept my apology, but I shouldn't have done it. Sorry mate. It was s--thouse. Hope you're okay and recover well," Broad's message to Parnell read.
Richmond revealed that the 29-year-old had sought out Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks to apologise for the tackle and acquired Parnell's phone number through ex-teammate Shane Edwards, who is now a Crows staffer.
Patrick Parnell of the Crows is tackled by Nathan Broad of the Tigers. AFL Photos via Getty Images
However, the tribunal upheld the AFL's call for a four-match ban.
"Every player is now taken to be aware of the damaging and sometimes long-term consequences of concussion," the tribunal chair stated after the decision.
"If not for the early guilty plea to all elements of the charge and the clear contrition, the starting point for the sanction may have been more than four matches."
Broad's tackle on Parnell was graded as careless conduct with severe impact and high contact.
The veteran defender's absence comes at a horrible time for the Tigers, with Broad to be sidelined for crunch matches against the Magpies, Bulldogs, Swans and Demons over the next month.
