Echuca’s Sam Reid was suspended by the MRO for two games for striking during the Murray Bombers’ elimination final win over Shepparton Swans at the weekend, but an early plea reduced the sentence to one match.
Reid won’t be permitted to play in Echuca’s knockout match against Rochester on Sunday, but may return for the preliminary fixture should the Murray Bombers progress.
Meanwhile, fellow teammate Cam Valentine has found himself in hot water following an incident from the same game.
The Echuca defender caught Swans’ onballer Oliver Warburton high in the third quarter, deemed to have intentionally or carelessly bumped or made forceful contact to an opponent from front on when the player has their head over the ball.
Valentine was directed straight to the tribunal for a charge deemed as careless conduct, high contact and severe impact.
The verdict from Wednesday night’s hearing was a six-match suspension, with Echuca now without a key defender for the rest of the season and the early stages of 2026.
Shepparton Swans’ defender Luke Davies was also cited for a separate incident, intentionally or carelessly engaging in rough conduct against an opponent.
Davies accepted an early guilty plea and will miss the first two games of next season after the charge was downgraded from three matches.
In the Kyabram District League, Stanhope will be without two of its players in Saturday’s reserves preliminary final.
Riley Dryden and Jayke Fisher were charged with striking during Sunday’s semi final win over Avenel, with both accepting early guilt pleas.
Fisher is suspended for one game while Dryden will miss two matches.
