The Match Review Officer has revealed its Jacob Weitering verdict, choosing not to sanction a fine for the defender after he struck Hawthorn's Lloyd Meek on Sunday afternoon, as well as laying six charges from the West Coast-St Kilda game.

Michael Christian's Weitering verdict means the reliable Blue is available for selection for Carlton's Round 17 bout with Fremantle.

The incident in question, which took place off the ball, shows Weitering appear to make contact with Meek's neck area, with the adjudicating umpire choosing to award a free kick to Meek and place Weitering on report for striking.

Meek did not require a medical assessment and was able to play out the remainder of Sunday's match.

The MRO offered the following explanation regarding its decision not to sanction the Blue:

"The match day report laid against Carlton's Jacob Weitering for contact to Hawthorn's Lloyd Meek from the third quarter of Sunday's match was assessed," the MRO's statement on Monday read.

"After examining all available evidence, it was the view of the Match Review Officer that whilst Weitering makes contact with his left hand to Meek, any high contact made was negligible. No further action was taken."

Meantime, the MRO laid a whopping six charges from the Eagles-Saints bout at Optus Stadium on Sunday, sanctioning Eagles Campbell Chesser, Bailey Williams, Luke Shuey, and Reuben Ginbey, and Saints Mitch Owens and Rowan Marshall.

All aforementioned charges were for engaging in a melee, with each player sanctioned $1,500 with the opportunity to reduce that to $1,000 with an early plea.

No other charges were laid from Sunday's slate of games.

1 COMMENT

  1. Striking has always been a reportable offence.
    Regardless of the “degree of impact” it is the action that is reportable…. for obvious reasons.

    Along with the attack on Murray (Adelaide) this is further evidence of the somewhat lax and “arbitrary” (as nice a word as can be used) nature of the “MRO”.

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