The player who viciously attacked a teenager and broke his jaw in an off-the-ball incident during a senior football match in the south-west last month has had his original three-match ban increased to eight weeks.
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Heathmere’s Will Pickett, who is on parole for armed robbery and other violent crimes, will now miss the rest of the South West District League finals.
Pickett is also facing police charges for the sickening incident that left 17-year-old Sam Lambevski with a jaw broken in two places and fractured cheekbone.
The Independent AFL Victoria Country Appeals Board met in Melbourne on Thursday night after AFL Victoria decided to appeal the leniency of his original three-match ban following public outrage.
Tony Lambevski, father of injured footballer Sam Lambevski, said he was “reasonably happy” with the outcome.
"As a parent I am not happy. I wanted more weeks, I wanted a life ban,” he said.
"I didn't accept the original three-week suspension, the community didn't accept it and I know a lot of others didn't either. So hopefully the AFL continues to work with country footy to make sure correct guidelines and procedures are followed.
"They need to show that serious incidents don’t get light penalties as that will make players aware they'll have a long stint on sideline.
"But if I was an independent looking in, I guess it does send some sort of message that the AFL is trying to stop these incidents.”
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell on Friday the outcome highlighted why the appeal system existed.
"Eight weeks is a strong statement for the act," he said. “And I feel the appeal system has worked here.”
AFL Victoria issued a statement on Friday that said: “Based on the evidence presented to the Appeals Board, it was the Board’s decision to increase the sanction of the Heathmere FNC player from three weeks to eight weeks. AFL Victoria acknowledges the decision of the Independent Appeals Boards and respects the role it plays in hearing appeals that arise from regional community football leagues.
“AFL Victoria would like to reinforce its stance against violence in our game and will continue to work with our stakeholders to ensure a safe and inclusive environment is provided for all participants and fans.”
