AFL 2022: Patrick Cripps cleared to play after 4.5 hour appeal hearing, Carlton Blues, reaction, decision

The Blues had hoped to overturn Tuesday’s AFL Arbitration Committee decision. Patrick Cripps suspended for two games for him Lion Callum Ah Chee Concussed Bump.

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The grading of careless acts with serious consequences and high touches was taken over and upheld by the courts.

Bruce’s attorneys went into full filibuster mode as the submission lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes, after which the board went into deliberation for nearly two hours.

The chances of Cripps being suspended increased by the minute, and finally at 10:40pm it was announced that he had been cleared for Saturday’s game against Melbourne.

AFL fans were perplexed by the lengthy proceedings and similarly surprised that Cripps was allowed to play.

Code Sports’ Daniel Charney tweeted, “Can the Cripps play if the appeal is still on at the start of the game?”

The Age’s Greg Baum joked.

Richard Hines says:

The decision is a big boost for the Blues, who sit 7th on the ladder, but face the Demons and the high-flying Magpies in the final two rounds of the season.

Appeals Committee Chairman Murray Kelman said, “This finding was unwarranted and did not meet procedural fairness requirements.

first published as AFL blows up at 4.5 hours marathon Patrick Cripps appeal hearing