Melbourne Demons key forward Jacob van Rooyen has seen his three-match ban upheld at the Tribunal on Tuesday night, following an incident involving Port Adelaide's Aliir Aliir on Saturday night.
When contesting a kick inside 50, van Rooyen's stray hand caught the brave Aliir high, spoiling the Power defender's 200th game, as he was left concussed by the blow.
Van Rooyen's counsel attempted to downgrade the 'severe impact' portion of the MRO's grading, unsuccessfully.
Aliir Aliir came from the ground following this incident involving Jacob van Rooyen.#AFLPowerDees pic.twitter.com/cs51vn6UZ7
— AFL (@AFL) August 15, 2026
"It has been classified as a careless strike, with high contact and severe impact. We find that this was a strike...it was a forceful blow, it was not simply a trailing arm that Aliir collided with," Tribunal chair, Jeff Gleeson, told the hearing, when delivering his verdict.
"Van Rooyen was initially intending to mark the ball, but we find that shortly before impact, he ceased to intend to mark the ball.
"In particular, van Rooyen does not have both arms outstretched, or otherwise positioned consistent with his stated aim of taking a chest mark.
"His left arm is well wide of his body and not shaping the mark, and his right arm makes no observable movement in attempting to affect a chest mark.
"We find that the impact is severe, the blow was forceful and resulted in Aliir immediately falling limp to the ground, where he briefly remained motionless. He left the field, played no further part in the game, and has suffered a concussion," Gleeson finished.
Melbourne's defence unsuccessfully attempted to point out the differences between their client's act and precedents, such as Brisbane Lions captain Harris Andrews' suspension from earlier this year.
“This is not an example like the Harris Andrews example from earlier this year of swinging one's arm around wildly which must have obvious consequences," van Rooyen's defence said.
"This is a player seeking to contest the ball, and so for that reason and the various other reasons that I've already mentioned with respect to carelessness in my submission, this is one of the few instances where concussion should properly be graded as high impact rather than severe impact."
Such a submission was quickly shot down.
“The rules make it incredibly clear, if it wasn't already, that there's an obligation to take reasonable care to avoid acts that can reasonably be foreseen to result in a reportable offence," the AFL's legal team said, in rebuttal.
Van Rooyen is his club's leading goalkicker in Steven King's first season in charge, and has only grown in stature and presence as the season has worn on. He must now cross his fingers and hope that his teammates can survive enough cutthroat football for him to make an appearance at the level again this season, presenting him with the opportunity to contribute to what could be an astonishing flag, in the process.
