Hawks gun Mabior Chol cleared of suspension for tackle that concussed Geelong's Tom Stewart
Updated . First published at
Hawthorn's Mabior Chol will be free to play at the start of next season after his appeal to overturn a three-game ban at the AFL tribunal was successful.
Chol was initially slapped with a three-game ban for a high contact, severe impact and careless tackle on Geelong superstar Tom Stewart, who was left concussed in the first quarter of the club's 30-point win over the Hawks.
The tackle saw Stewart substituted out of the match and also ruled the Cats vice-captain ruled out for the AFL grand final due to the mandatory 12-day stand-down.
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Tom Stewart of the Cats is tackled by Mabior Chol. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Stewart's looming absence has raised questions about whether the league should introduce a bye week before the grand final is held to avoid players missing out.
But while those conversations continue, the Hawks were focused on overturning their player's sanction.
Chol did not give any evidence to overturn at the tribunal, but the club argued on his behalf that he had made a reasonable tackle given the circumstances.
Even though the Hawks believed Stewart's eventual concussion was out of Chol's control, the AFL said the Cats star was driven to the ground with excessive force while in a vulnerable state as he didn't have his arm to break his fall.
Hawthorn officials then noted Sam Butler's involvement in the tackle should also be taken into account along with the fact Chol's legs became tangled with Stewart's.
Mabior Chol of the Hawks celebrates a goal. Getty
It was also pointed out that Chol attempted to role to minimise the impact on Stewart in that "very unfortunate football accident".
Still, the fact that Chol was late to roll and Stewart's arms were pinned back was not going to be overlooked by the tribunal.
North Melbourne's Paul Curtis' tackle on Josh Sinn earlier this year was cited as an example of a more dangerous tackle by Hawthorn in defence of Chol.
After almost an hour of deliberating, Chol was cleared of his ban.
