Van Rooyen’s Three-Match Ban Upheld: Demons Face Finals Without Key Forward

The AFL Appeals Board rejected Melbourne’s bid to overturn Jacob van Rooyen’s three-match striking ban on Thursday night, ending the Demons’ last hope of fielding their key forward for the finals series. The board deliberated for just 22 minutes before dismissing the club’s arguments that the original tribunal made errors of law. Van Rooyen will now miss Round 24, the wildcard round, and potentially the second week of finals.

What happened in the original incident

Van Rooyen’s left arm struck Port Adelaide defender Aliir Aliir in the head and neck during a marking contest on Saturday, August 17, at Adelaide Oval. Aliir was concussed and removed from the game. The match review officer graded the contact as severe impact, careless conduct, and high impact, leading to the three-match ban on Sunday.

Why Melbourne’s appeal failed

Melbourne argued the tribunal made an error by not allowing a biomechanist’s expert report as evidence. The report claimed only 0.2 seconds elapsed between van Rooyen noticing Aliir and contact occurring, and that van Rooyen would have needed 0.5 to 0.6 seconds to move his arm. The Demons also cited AFL law 18.5.3, which permits incidental contact in marking contests if the player’s sole objective is to contest or spoil the mark. The Appeals Board found no error of law, with chair Richard Loveridge stating the tribunal’s decision was sound.

The cost to Melbourne’s finals campaign

Van Rooyen has kicked 42 goals from 22 games this season, including two six-goal hauls. He will miss Round 24 against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday, the wildcard round of finals, and the second week of finals if Melbourne advances. The Demons, currently fifth on the ladder, recalled utility Xavier Lindsay to replace him. Melbourne had hoped to reduce the ban to two weeks, which would have allowed van Rooyen to play in a second final if the Demons won their first match.

Van Rooyen’s previous appeal success

In 2023, van Rooyen successfully appealed a striking ban at the Appeals Board after the tribunal initially suspended him for striking while attempting a spoil. Melbourne’s legal team, led by Anais d’Arville, used similar arguments this time but found the board unmoved. The tribunal had rejected the club’s claim that van Rooyen’s sole objective was to mark the ball, finding video evidence showed he ceased intending to mark shortly before impact.

Final Thoughts

The Appeals Board’s swift dismissal ends Melbourne’s finals hopes of fielding van Rooyen. The 23-year-old’s absence removes a key marking target from a makeshift forward line during the most critical weeks of the season.

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