KANGAROO Flat has received a timely boost in the lead-up to its clash with Kyneton with key recruit Phil Lobb successfully fighting a report at the Bendigo Football League tribunal last night.
Coming off a 19-goal loss to South Bendigo, the Roos will be keen to field their strongest team possible this Saturday with the home game against the Tigers one of the few times in recent seasons that the Flat will start favourite.
Lobb’s availability plus the expected debut of former Fitzroy and Sydney defender Rowan Warfe will give the Roos a much classier look.
Lobb had been reported for engaging in rough conduct against South Bendigo midfielder Jarrod Keely in the first quarter of last Sunday’s clash at the QEO.
Reporting umpire Brad Rankin told the tribunal that he had witnessed Lobb headbutt Keely after the pair had become involved in an altercation.
Rankin admitted the contact had not been severe, but he described Lobb’s actions as “unnecessary and deliberate”.
Keely, who gave his evidence via phone from Melbourne, said he didn’t feel any contact to his head in the incident with Lobb.
“We said a few choice words to each other and then came together chest to chest and nose to nose,” Keely said.
“We bumped chests and then the second time Phil came at me more aggressively . . . and I lent back.
“I don’t recall any contact being made to my head.’’
Lobb described the incident as a ‘‘show of strength”.
“There was definitely no head contact,” Lobb said.
“When the umpire told me I was reported I laughed it off because I didn’t think I’d done anything wrong.’’The BFL tribunal wasted little time in deliberating its verdict.
Chairman John Chapman said there was too much doubt surrounding the incident.
“We believe it was inconclusive . . . in relation to whether contact was made,” Chapman said.
“We must be 100 per cent sure that there was contact made.
“Under the circumstances the benefit of the doubt must go to the player.”