Franklin out of Brownlow Medal race - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Franklin out of Brownlow Medal race

17/06/2008 05:14:08 PM Comments (0)

Hawthorn's Lance Franklin has joined the impressive list of AFL stars out of Brownlow Medal contention after pleading guilty to a rough conduct charge.

Franklin accepted a reprimand for his high bump on Adelaide's Michael Doughty during Saturday night's AFL match at AAMI Stadium, leaving him free to play against North Melbourne at the MCG this Saturday.

While the 25 per cent penalty reduction for an early guilty plea meant the Coleman Medal frontrunner avoided a suspension, he can not win the Brownlow as the original grading of the offence was worth more than 100 demerit points.

The 21-year-old had been among the bookmakers' favourites for the competition's highest individual honour, but now joins a strong list of would-be contenders who are out of the running.

Hawks captain Sam Mitchell, Sydney's dual winner Adam Goodes and West Coast gun Daniel Kerr are others who will have asterisks next to their name on Brownlow night.

Meanwhile, Collingwood's Travis Cloke accepted a one-game striking suspension, meaning the Magpies are expected to enter Sunday's game against the Western Bulldogs without their two key forwards.

Cloke pleaded guilty to striking Carlton's Michael Jamison at the MCG last Sunday.

His carryover points for making contact to the head of Melbourne's Matthew Warnock the previous weekend meant he would have risked a two-game ban had he challenged the charge at the tribunal.

Cloke's suspension and the likely absence of Anthony Rocca because of ankle soreness means the Magpies will be lacking some major firepower against the third-placed Bulldogs at Telstra Dome.

North Melbourne captain Adam Simpson accepted a reprimand for striking Fremantle's Ryan Crowley at Subiaco on Saturday.

Three players accepted fines, Richmond's Shane Tuck for making contact with an umpire and the Kangaroos' Daniel Pratt and Crowley, for wrestling each other.

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