He was charged with serious misconduct in that he allegedly bit Western Bulldog’s player Tory Dickson.
After denying that he had bitten Dickson, Irish pleaded guilty after the prehearing (which was) held prior to the Tribunal sitting. What are these prehearings for? May I suggest to remind Irish that pleading guilty (even without footage of the incident) is looked favourably upon by the AFL Tribunal. He would never have won with a not guilty plea in the AFL Tribunal, so it simply came down to a decision between a lesser/higher penalty. I think that is pretty clear. It is naive to assume that a person wouldn’t plead guilty if they didn’t actually do what they were charged with (in the AFL - that is).
Indicating some sort of injury to his neck.
I must have missed that one. What exactly did he say to the bench? His statement to the Tribunal said ‘a quick nip on his neck, which (he) believed was from a bite’. Why the element of doubt? Did he simply feel something sharp scrap his neck, like an incisor tooth, or did he actually feel a bite? Too vague for mine.
Not to you, but it is to me. Should have received a fine for scratching his neck. Can’t see any evidence from the injury or Dickson’s flimsy, uncertain statement, that would make me believe that Irish had definitely bitten him. Anyway, the AFL Tribunal delivered the exact verdict the AFL were seeking. I don’t find this surprising in the slightest. #optics
Why would he plead guilty? Maybe because he’s a half decent bloke who realises he has made a terrible mistake. Everybody makes mistakes in their lives, me more than most and I respect the fact that Conor, out of the heat of battle, has basically told the truth and copped his whack.
he had to, as if they would have found him innocent he is an Essendon player …we have shiteful lawyers who give terrible advice …coped a plea to get the lesser weeks does not mean he actually did it …but now who cares he will forever be known as a biter & I saw no teeth marks !!!
He pleaded guilty so he didn’t get the maximum sentence. I know it doesn’t make sense, but if he pleaded not guilty to MISCONDUCT he would have gotten four weeks.
