MERRIVALE reserves player Trent Murphy has copped a 10-week suspension from the Warrnambool and District league independent tribunal.
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Just four days after helping Merrivale to the reserves premiership, Murphy pleaded guilty to a charge of unbecoming conduct for an alleged kick to the back of the head of Deakin University player Chris McGrath in a match on July 23.
No report was laid at the time, but the Sharks requested the league investigate the incident and it finally came before the tribunal on Wednesday night.
The hearing had originally been planned for two weeks prior but experienced two delays. League investigator Chris Asenjo was unavailable the first week, while Murphy had been unavailable for the rescheduled hearing last week with work commitments following a miscommunication about his need to attend, a club source said.
McGrath told the tribunal he felt a sharp blow to the back of his head, as he was starting to get up after being tackled. He said he had blurred vision and ringing in his ears but played out the match, which in hindsight he shouldn’t have done.