AFL has apologized to Sydney superstar Lance Franklin over allegations made by the league’s lawyer during a court hearing on Wednesday.
Key points:
- Lance Franklin was suspended for a match to beat Trent Cotchin of Richmond
- AFL’s lawyer said Franklin’s actions were “brazen” and “cowardly”
- An AFL statement said: “There are no cowardly players in the AFL, let alone Lance Franklin.”
Franklin could not overturn his one-game ban for beating three-time Tigers top captain Trent Cotchin and will miss the Swans’ 12th round clash with Melbourne.
But the verdict was not the story of the hearing, with AFL attorney Andrew Woods describing Franklin’s actions as “cowardly” and “brazen.”
Meanwhile, the Swans’ lawyer suggested that “Cotchin could receive an invitation to the Lodges instead of the Brownlow this year” to exaggerate the impact of the Franklin strike.
Loading
An AFL House statement said the league had apologized to Franklin and the Swans “and reiterated our respect for Lance and his position in the game” as “a champion of our game”.
“There are no cowardly players in the AFL, let alone Lance Franklin,” the statement said.
“In presenting the communications, the lawyer attending the court used his own words to describe the circumstances of the strike on Trent Cotchin, that is, that Mr Cotchin did not reasonably expect Mr Franklin to anessin.
“Trent Cotchin is a top captain and one of the most respected leaders in the competition.
“It is the AFL’s view that the rhetorical flowers of nature used by the two lawyers last night should not be part of the AFL court process and do not reflect the AFL’s views.”
After both sides presented their arguments, the court jury upheld the compelling indictment against Franklin, which was described by the AFL party review officer as intentional, low-impact, and high-profile. contact.
After this weekend’s clash with the Demons, the Swans have a goodbye to Round 13, so Franklin will not be able to play again until a game against Port Adelaide on June 18.
ABC / AAP