North Melbourne ruckman Tristan Xerri has been offered a three-match suspension for his rough conduct charge on Melbourne's Tom Sparrow during Sunday's clash at the MCG.
Midway through the final term, Xerri competed in a boundary throw-in before attempting to swipe at the football as an incoming Sparrow was collected across the jaw, resulting in him being knocked out before he hit the ground.
The MRO deemed the incident as careless conduct, severe impact and high contact, resulting in a three-week layoff.
Tom Sparrow came from the ground following this incident involving Tristan Xerri.#AFLDeesNorth pic.twitter.com/4LE1poUwDp
โ AFL (@AFL) July 13, 2025
The incident infuriated Sparrow's teammates, especially Max Gawn, who immediately made a beeline for Xerri.
Xerri tried to make his way over to Sparrow as he was being carried off, but was pushed away by Melbourne players, underscoring their fury with the North ruckman.
North Melbourne faces Sydney, Geelong and St Kilda in the next three weeks.
In the same contest, Jy Simpkin, Finn O'Sullivan and Will Phillips were all fined $1,500 ($1,000 guilty plea) for engaging in a melee, as was Melbourne's Koltyn Tholstrup ($3,125 - second offence).
Harley Reid narrowly avoided suspension for tripping Port Adelaide veteran Travis Boak. The MRO deemed the offence as intentional conduct, low impact and body contact, constituting a $10,000 ($6,250 guilty plea) given it was a third offence.
Xerri likely headed for a suspension but do the Roos spend another $10K in the soft cap on a tribunal case after Archer, Curtis cases? Lions keen to appeal Bailey hit. And Harleyโs trip means heโs headed for a sixth fine of the season. Torching cash ๐ https://t.co/kiDjxJSNJN pic.twitter.com/cDxX2CFiId
โ Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) July 14, 2025
Jase Burgoyne was also sanctioned for tripping Matthew Owies in the second quarter, and was fined $3,000 ($2,000 guilty plea).
Burgoyne's teammate Jason Horne-Francis was charged with striking Jack Hutchinson, and will pay $1,500 ($1,000 guilty plea).
Sydney's James Jordon was the latest to be fined for careless contact with an umpire, and will pay $3,125 ($1,875 guilty plea) for a second offence.
He was also punished for engaging in a melee with St Kilda's Marcus Windhager. The pair will pay $1,500 ($1,000 guilty plea).
Earlier in the round, Carlton's Adam Cerra was referred to the Tribunal after careless contacting an umpire for the fourth time in two seasons.
Brisbane's Zac Bailey will challenge the one-match ban offered for his rough conduct charge on Blues defender Nick Haynes.
Essendon MSD prospect Lachlan Blakiston was fined for his rough conduct offence on Richmond gun Tim Taranto. He will pay $3,000 ($2,000 guilty plea).