From realfooty
Fleming's season over and career in doubt
By Chris Lines
August 13 2003
Tim Fleming's season is over and his career in jeopardy after the rugged Richmond on-baller was suspended for three matches by the AFL Tribunal last night.
Fleming pleaded guilty to striking St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt last Saturday night, and the tribunal refused the club's plea that he be given a chance to prove himself again this season before his contract expired.
A written apology to Riewoldt and Richmond's stance that it would have kicked him out of the club if it felt he had deliberately sought to damage the star Saint failed to sway the tribunal, which deemed his act serious, reckless and unnecessary.
Riewoldt was left groggy and bleeding from a split chin after Fleming made late contact with an elbow in the second quarter. Barely able to walk, Riewoldt was helped from Telstra Dome by three trainers and had no memory of the incident.
But he returned late in the final quarter, taking marks and kicking three goals.
Fleming pleaded guilty after watching video footage, but at the time thought he had not made significant contact.
"It was by no means my intention to get him, I was genuinely trying to bump him . . . it shocked me when I saw it," Fleming said.
Richmond assistant coach Wayne Brittain, who convinced the club to draft Fleming after coaching him as a reserves player at Carlton, gave character evidence on the persistence of the 25-year-old. Fleming had overcome two broken wrists, an ankle reconstruction, two broken thumbs and a broken hand in the past three years before belatedly reaching his goal of playing AFL.
"If (Richmond coach) Danny Frawley had felt Timmy Fleming had deliberately elbowed Nick Riewoldt on the jaw, Tim Fleming would not be at Richmond footy club now," Brittain said.
Tribunal chairman Brian Collis said it was only good fortune that Riewoldt had not sustained a more serious injury in the collision.
Richmond said it would not appeal against the length of the suspension.
Fleming's season over and career in doubt
By Chris Lines
August 13 2003
Tim Fleming's season is over and his career in jeopardy after the rugged Richmond on-baller was suspended for three matches by the AFL Tribunal last night.
Fleming pleaded guilty to striking St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt last Saturday night, and the tribunal refused the club's plea that he be given a chance to prove himself again this season before his contract expired.
A written apology to Riewoldt and Richmond's stance that it would have kicked him out of the club if it felt he had deliberately sought to damage the star Saint failed to sway the tribunal, which deemed his act serious, reckless and unnecessary.
Riewoldt was left groggy and bleeding from a split chin after Fleming made late contact with an elbow in the second quarter. Barely able to walk, Riewoldt was helped from Telstra Dome by three trainers and had no memory of the incident.
But he returned late in the final quarter, taking marks and kicking three goals.
Fleming pleaded guilty after watching video footage, but at the time thought he had not made significant contact.
"It was by no means my intention to get him, I was genuinely trying to bump him . . . it shocked me when I saw it," Fleming said.
Richmond assistant coach Wayne Brittain, who convinced the club to draft Fleming after coaching him as a reserves player at Carlton, gave character evidence on the persistence of the 25-year-old. Fleming had overcome two broken wrists, an ankle reconstruction, two broken thumbs and a broken hand in the past three years before belatedly reaching his goal of playing AFL.
"If (Richmond coach) Danny Frawley had felt Timmy Fleming had deliberately elbowed Nick Riewoldt on the jaw, Tim Fleming would not be at Richmond footy club now," Brittain said.
Tribunal chairman Brian Collis said it was only good fortune that Riewoldt had not sustained a more serious injury in the collision.
Richmond said it would not appeal against the length of the suspension.
