Tom Barrass remains banned for tackle on Michael Walters, appeal, West Coast Eagles, latest news, results, video

Turns out not every player can ue the ‘good block’ clause.

Star West Coast defender Tom Barrass will miss Round 7’s clash with Gold Coast after failing to downgrade his one-match ban for rough conduct at the AFL Tribunal.

Barrass was cited for a dangerous tackle on Docker Michael Walters in last week’s western derby, with the incident graded as careless with medium impact and high contact.

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The Eagles attempted to have the impact downgraded to low, which would result in a fine, while also arguing “exceptional and compelling circumstances” – the ‘good bloke’ clause used successfully by Charlie Cameron – would warrant the downgrade.

“We ran past each other on the ground and hi-fived and sort of touched each other (afterwards),” Barrass said of his interactions with Walters.

“The second was after the game shaking hands and he said ‘I’m good, you’ll be fine, no worries.’”

The Eagles cited Barrass being engaged with two kids, having a “few philanthropic interests” plus character references from Jeremy McGovern and former Eagles Chair Russell Gibbs.

David Grace, for the Eagles, said Walters was unencumbered after the incident, which he said should play a role in downgrading impact.

Andrew Woods for the AFL said while Walters had his left arm free, it wasn’t enough to prevent a forceful hit. Woods added if Walters’ right arm was free or less force was used, there would’ve been a very different outcome.

“The head comes down past the ball and into the ground. Ultimately, that’s a matter for you to decide,” he said.

Woods argued these were not exceptional circumstances because Barrass has played 138 games – not the 200-plus of Cameron – while Cameron’s was on the “lower end of careless” and this wasn’t, plus it’s not unusual for players to do community work.

But Grace for the Eagles said: “If the Tribunal wants to compare the vision to what Cameron did to Lever, that was far more serious.”

If the ban is upheld, Barrass will miss West Coast’s clash with the Suns at People First Stadium this Sunday.

It comes after a busy Tuesday night at the tribunal, which saw Jesse Hogan get off his ban, while Toby Greene’s suspension was upheld.