From Geelong Advertiser
Reported by Ryan Reynolds
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TONIGHT'S VFL tribunal outcome will have huge ramifications for the season of Geelong defender David Wojcinski.
Wojcinski yesterday accepted a one-match ban for striking youngster Jack Viney in Saturday's VFL loss, but must face the tribunal on a serious rough conduct charge.
However a quirk in Geelong's VFL fixture could see the veteran serve double time and effectively rule him out for the first half of the season if he is found guilty.
The Cats have two byes plus a state league game in the next six weeks and Wojcinski will not be able to serve his sentence on those weeks.
He also cannot serve his suspension in AFL games.
That means if Wojcinski receives two or more weeks tonight he won't be able to return to the VFL side until Geelong's match against the Northern Blues on June 23 at the earliest.
Under the AFL demerit points system, Wojcinski's offence could be deemed as negligent conduct with severe impact and high contact, equating to a four-match suspension, halved with discounts for a five-year clean record and guilty plea.
The 31-year-old broke the jaw of Melbourne's father-son draft prospect Viney as the pair went in to contest a loose ball.
Viney, the son of former Demon Todd, had surgery on his jaw on Sunday and was recovering well.
The VFL told the Geelong Advertiser yesterday that there was video evidence of the incident and the matter was sent straight to the tribunal as it was a more severe case.
Wojcinski, who has battled an achilles tendon injury, was close to being called up for his 200th senior game for Geelong this weekend, but celebrations will have to be put on ice until he learns his fate.
What will work in Wojcinski's favour is that he has never faced an AFL tribunal in his decorated 14-year career at the Cats.
