The AFL wishes to advise the Match Review Panel has reviewed the matches played in Round 23 of the 2016 Toyota AFL premiership season. The following charges were laid:

Charges Laid:

Jacob Weitering, Carlton, has been charged with striking Kyle Langford, Essendon, during the fourth quarter of the Round 23 match between Essendon and Carlton, played at the MCG on Saturday August 27, 2016.

In summary, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea.

Based on the available video evidence and a medical report from the Essendon Football Club, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct with low impact to the body. The incident was classified as a $1500 sanction. The player has no applicable record which impacts the penalty. An early plea enables the player to accept a $1000 sanction.

Sam Naismith, Sydney Swans, has been charged with engaging in rough conduct against Bachar Houli, Richmond, during the second quarter of the Round 23 match between the Sydney Swans and Richmond, played at the SCG on Saturday August 27, 2016.

In summary, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea.

Based on the available video evidence and a medical report from the Richmond Football Club, the incident was assessed as careless conduct with medium impact to the body. The incident was classified as a $1500 sanction. The player has no applicable record which impacts the penalty. An early plea enables the player to accept a $1000 sanction.

Devon Smith, GWS Giants, has been charged with wrestling Lindsay Thomas, North Melbourne, during the fourth quarter of the Round 23 match between the GWS Giants and North Melbourne, played at Etihad Stadium on Saturday August 27, 2016.

In summary, his $1500 sanction can be reduced to a $1000 sanction with an early guilty plea.

A first offence for wrestling was classified as a $1500 sanction. The player has no applicable record which impacts the penalty. An early plea enables the player to accept a $1000 sanction.

Lindsay Thomas, North Melbourne, has been charged with wrestling Devon Smith, GWS Giants, during the fourth quarter of the Round 23 match between the GWS Giants and North Melbourne, played at the MCG on Saturday August 27, 2016.

In summary, his $1500 can be reduced to a $1000 sanction with an early guilty plea.

A first offence for wrestling was classified as a $1500 sanction. The player has no applicable record which impacts the penalty. An early plea enables the player to accept a $1000 sanction.

Daniel Merrett, Brisbane Lions, has been charged with striking Shane Savage, St Kilda, during the fourth quarter of the Round 23 match between the Brisbane Lions and St Kilda, played at Etihad Stadium on Sunday August 28, 2016.

In summary, he can accept a two-match sanction with an early plea.

Based on the available video evidence and a medical report from the St Kilda

Football Club, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct with medium impact to the head. The incident was classified as a three-match sanction. The player has no applicable record which impacts the penalty. An early plea enables the player to accept a two-match sanction.

Matt de Boer, Fremantle, has been charged with engaging in rough conduct against Marcus Bontempelli, Western Bulldogs, during the third quarter of the Round 23 match between Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs, played at Domain Stadium on Sunday August 28, 2016.

In summary, he can accept a $1000 sanction with an early plea.

Based on the available video evidence and a medical report from the Western Bulldogs Football Club, the incident was assessed as careless conduct with low impact to the head. The incident was classified as a $1500 sanction. The player has no applicable record which impacts the penalty. An early plea enables the player to accept a $1000 sanction.

Other incidents assessed

Contact between West Coast’s Sharrod Wellingham and the Adelaide Crows’ Mitch McGovern from the first quarter of Friday’s match was assessed. McGovern has the ball spoiled from him in a marking contest. Wellingham is approaching the contest and the ball bounces at his feet. McGovern reaches down for the ball and high contact was made by Wellingham in his approach to the ball. It was the view of the panel that Wellingham was contesting the ball and had no realistic alternative way to contest the ball. No further action was taken.

Contact between Hawthorn’s Josh Gibson and Collingwood’s Levi Greenwood from the second quarter of Sunday’s match was assessed. The ball was kicked forward to Greenwood in the Collingwood forward line. Gibson has his eyes on the ball at all times and is committed in the air to the contest, with contact inevitable. Gibson made grazing contact with his forearm to the side of Greenwood’s head and a free kick was paid at the time for the high contact. Greenwood was able to take his kick at the time and it was the view of the panel that while the contact was worthy of a free kick, it was a genuine attempt to spoil and no further action was taken.