Charlie Cameron’s clean record at the AFL Tribunal over more than 200 games has paid off after the Brisbane Lions livewire escaped with a fine for his sling tackle on Jake Lever.
The Lions successfully mounted a case that Cameron’s suspension-free record should be taken into account when penalising him for the heavy tackle in last Thursday’s match at the MCG.
Cameron had been facing the prospect of missing Saturday night’s crunch match against Geelong at the Gabba.
The contentious tackle involving Charlie Cameron and Jake Lever.Credit: Channel Seven
The AFL’s match review officer graded the tackle careless, medium impact and high contact, despite Melbourne defender Lever being uninjured and returning to play the rest of the contest.
AFL tribunal chairman Jeff Gleeson said they were using their discretion to give Cameron a fine instead of a match penalty.
Cameron more than once tried to downplay the extent of his actions.
“I felt he was fighting against the tackle. I’ve turned to my right … falling back with momentum,” Cameron said in evidence.
“I felt I didn’t have control once I was falling back … Jake weighs 94, 95 kilos. I don’t think there was enough force for him to snap his head like that off the ground.
“It’s hard to slow momentum when you’re both falling down. I don’t agree with it being medium impact. I felt there was enough for him to brace before his head hit the ground.”