Updated ,first published
In today’s AFL Briefing, your daily wrap of footy news:
- The AFL appeal board has sensationally dismissed Zak Butters’ umpire abuse verdict after a “miscarriage of justice”.
- Tom Liberatore will go through regular concussion protocols before he returns to play.
- Collingwood captain Darcy Moore is closing in on an Anzac Day return.
‘His mind was elsewhere’: Port targets tribunal member Johnson
Hannah Kennelly
The AFL appeal board has sensationally dismissed Zak Butters’ umpire abuse verdict after Port Adelaide successfully argued there had been a “miscarriage of justice” during the tribunal hearing.
Butters was fined $1500 last week after the AFL Tribunal found him guilty of abusive or insulting language towards an official.
Butters maintained he never asked umpire Nick Foot “How much are they paying you?” after he was paid a 50-metre penalty during the Sunday night Gather Round clash between the Power and St Kilda at Adelaide Oval.
The Port Adelaide star midfielder said he recalled saying “surely that’s not a free kick”.
During the hearing on Monday, Port Adelaide representative Paul Ehrlich KC argued AFL Tribunal member Jason Johnson was distracted during the hearing last week, when he disconnected from his desktop and re-joined on his phone from inside his car while driving to an appointment.
Ehrlich said Johnson listening to part of the AFL Tribunal hearing while driving his car constituted a miscarriage of justice.
“This was not a mere change in platform … it is to be inferred his mind was elsewhere through final submissions because he was conscious he had to leave or be late for his [real estate] open inspection,” Ehrlich said.
Ehrlich argued a reasonable and well-formed person would be entitled to “at least entertain a suspicion Johnson did not perform his duty in accordance with his obligations”.
While making his submissions, Ehrlich had to apologise numerous times for his dog barking in the background. At one point, the dog entered his room and jumped on his couch.
Ehrlich was forced to mute his audio and turn his camera off while the dog was ushered out.
AFL representative Albert Dinelli KC argued that while Johnson’s decision to disconnect from the hearing and rejoin was “regrettable” it did not amount to an error of law and did not have “a material impact on the case”.
Dinelli argued Johnson fully participated in the hearing despite moving to his phone.
After deliberating for 15 minutes AFL Appeal Board chairman Will Houghton upheld the appeal and agreed Johnson’s conduct amounted to an error of law.
“It was clearly an error of law that had a material impact on the decision of the tribunal,” Houghton said.
Houghton said he accepted Johnson’s attention could “have been diverted” from the case, when he was driving to his appointment.
The AFL Appeal Board recommended the case be remitted and heard by another tribunal.
However, Dinelli said his instructions were not to do that and Butters’ charge and subsequent $1500 fine were dismissed.
In a statement, Port Adelaide confirmed they would not seek a re-hearing.
“While Port Adelaide welcomes the dismissal of this matter, the club maintains its position that the tribunal process needs to be reviewed,” they said.
In a separate statement released on Monday, the AFL apologised to Port players Butters and Ollie Wines, the club’s football manager Ben Rutten and AFL umpire Nick Foot for the error of law and inconvenience caused.
“The AFL reiterates its strong support for the AFL Tribunal and all of those who make an important contribution to the conduct of the AFL disciplinary system, including former players who lend an important perspective to these matters,” they said.
“The AFL also expresses its strong support for umpires at all levels and the vital role they play in our sport.
“The AFL will now reflect on the reasons of the appeal board and learnings from tonight’s outcome.”
Liberatore not expected to face concussion panel
Michael Gleeson
Tom Liberatore will go through regular concussion protocols and there is no plan for the Bulldogs midfielder to front an independent concussion panel for permission to return to play.
Liberatore has had a history of head injuries in the game, including in 2024 when he was ruled out at the time for an open-ended period after he randomly collapsed during a game.
The Bulldogs said that at this point Liberatore was being treated under the usual protocols with no requirement or plan for him to consult an AFL panel.
“At this stage there is nothing about a panel, he is just in the concussion protocol,” Bulldogs football manager Sam Power said.
“I know there has been a bit of rumour floating about because of his history, but he is just in the regular protocol at this stage and we will see how he is.”
Meanwhile, captain Marcus Bontempelli was cleared of any serious structural damage from a minor hyperextension of the knee during Friday night’s loss to Geelong. Bontempelli was thought to have suffered some bone bruising, but Dogs Power said he had pulled up well and been given the all clear.
Rory Lobb was cleared of damage to his hamstring and will potentially be available this week.
Ryan Gardiner and Jed Busslinger have both played well in the VFL and shape as replacements for James O’Donnell, who tore a hamstring. The Dogs will also need to find a replacement for Sam Darcy after his season-ending knee injury.
Adam Treloar had 41 touches in the VFL and is likely to come in to replace Liberatore.
‘Feels awesome’: Star Magpie to return, but Bombers dealt injury blow
Jon Pierik
Collingwood captain Darcy Moore says he feels awesome and is closing in on an Anzac Day return, but Essendon have ruled out a key defender for the showpiece event.
Moore, 30, has had a terrible run with injury this season, and has managed just one game.
Having hurt a calf during the pre-season, he returned in round three, only to then suffer hamstring and knee issues against Greater Western Sydney.
Moore said on Monday that he had trained strongly on Friday, and was ready to step up his preparation at the Tuesday and Thursday sessions.
“I had a really good session last Friday, made a couple of really big breakthroughs. The body feels awesome,” Moore said.
“So, yeah, I’m in a great position to train fully this week and, hopefully, put my hand up by the end of the week. So, yeah, watch this space.”
Moore denied he had rushed back too soon to face the Giants.
“I put my hand up – I was ready to go. I’m accountable for that decision. So, yeah, I was absolutely ready to go,” he said.
The premiership defender said this season had been a “challenge” personally, but pointed out the campaign was only young.
Midfielder Jordan De Goey has been in concussion protocols, but the Magpies hope he will be fit to resume.
Moore and Essendon counterpart McGrath were at the Shrine of Remembrance on Monday morning for a wreath-laying ceremony as part of preparations for Saturday’s clash – the biggest event on the AFL calendar outside of finals.
The Bombers have been buoyed by their form over the past three weeks, but will be without defender Jordan Ridley (low-grade calf strain), who left the field early in the second half against the Suns on Saturday and did not return.
McGrath confirmed Ridley would not play.
“I don’t think so. At this stage, Jordan has got a little calf injury and, with his history there, they’re just being pretty cautious with his approach,” McGrath said.
“We’ll see how he presents … throughout the week, but I don’t think weekend will be realistic.”
The Magpies eased the pressure with their five-point win over Carlton at the MCG last Thursday, although they were fortunate to escape with the victory when young Blue Talor Byrne botched a set shot to tie the game after the final siren.
Having struggled to score heavily all season, the Magpies put a season-high 88 points on the board on Thursday night, improving their record to 3-3 and ensuring they remain in the finals hunt.
Nick Daicos, in his 100th game, was brilliant all night with 39 disposals, nine score involvements and 449 metres gained, while small forward Jamie Elliott – who struggled to have an impact recently up forward – booted three goals.
Moore said the strong performance of youngsters Will Hayes, Angus Anderson and Roan Steel had been pivotal.
“Sometimes you have got to win pretty, and sometimes you have got to win gritty. And it was a pretty gritty win for us on Thursday night. We certainly didn’t play our best football but, in my experience, there is a lot to take out of games like that when things aren’t quite firing and flowing the way you’d like to be able to,” Moore said.
While the Bombers have just the one win, their past three weeks have been a dramatic improvement on the winless opening four rounds.
An encouraging second half against the Western Bulldogs was followed by a win over Melbourne, before a robust nine-point loss to premiership contenders the Suns on Saturday.
They have changed the way they defend, pushing more often up the field and taking territory, instead of folding back.
McGrath said increased pressure on the ball, particularly by the midfielders, had been crucial.
“We’ve got a lot of our core guys around the midfield, and they’re around contest, and our [lack of] pressure was putting our backs under a whole lot of pressure,” McGrath said.
“We know we’re still not where we want to be, and there’s a gap between us and the best teams in the competition, and we want to close that as fast as we can.”
The Magpies won the corresponding fixture by 41 points last year.
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Hannah Kennelly is an award-winning sports reporter and Formula 1 writer at The Age.Connect via email.
Michael Gleeson is an award-winning senior sports writer specialising in AFL and athletics.Connect via X or email.
Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.
