The Gold Coast SUNS have advised the AFL it will contest the charge laid by the Match Review Panel against defender Steven May on the weekend.
The 22-year-old key defender has been charged with a Level One Engaging in Rough Conduct Offence (125 demerit points, one-match sanction) for engaging in rough conduct against Dayne Zorko, Brisbane, during the first quarter of the Round Three match between the Gold Coast SUNS and Brisbane, at Metricon Stadium on Saturday April 5, 2014.
In summary, due to his previous poor record, May could have accepted a one-match, even with an early plea.
Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Brisbane Football Club, the incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points). This is a total of four activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level One Offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has a bad record of 64.06 demerit points carried over within the last 12 months, increasing the penalty to 189.06 points and a one-match sanction. An early plea reduces the sanction by 25 per cent to 141.80 points and a one-match sanction.
Meanwhile, the GC SUNS have accepted Matera’s one match ban.
Matera was charged with a Level Two Engaging in Rough Conduct Offence (225 demerit points, two-match sanction), for engaging in rough conduct against Jed Adcock, Brisbane, during the second quarter of the match.