PANMURE’S Kallan Melican will miss the next four weeks after a controversial Warrnambool and District Football Netball League tribunal hearing on Wednesday night.
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Melican was found guilty of headbutting Timboon Demons skipper Ash Hunt in their round seven clash.
But in a stunning development, the independent tribunal of Terry O’Keefe, Paul Jones and Ian Yewers hit Hunt with a one-match ban, saying they were “not at all happy” with his evidence.
Field umpire Dan Kelly reported Melican for an incident late in the second term of the May 14 match between the sides which resulted in Hunt needing six stitches for a gash above his left eye.
Kelly told the tribunal after awarding a free kick against Melican, he saw the Panmure player make contact with a left fist to Hunt’s lower jaw and as he was going in with the yellow-card he alleged Melican then headbutted Hunt.
Both Melican and Hunt denied there had been a headbutt, saying the only contact made was a left fist to the head, which resulted in the cut.
Hunt had told the tribunal the hit “wasn’t a massive uppercut … it was just a blow to the side of the head and that’s when I was cut open”.
Melican said there was “no second motion” after the initial hit. The tribunal spent nearly 20 minutes deliberating before reaching their verdict.
The suspensions mean Melican will not take to the field again until July 2, while Hunt will miss the Demons’ important away clash against Nirranda.
