Pavlich report thrown out

Dockers skipper Matthew Pavlich was reported for charging Eagle Will Schofield in Derby No.37. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

MATTHEW Pavlich's match-day report has been thrown out but the Dockers are set to lose forward Hayden Ballantyne for one match.

The Fremantle captain was reported after crashing into Eagles defender Will Schofield.

But the match review panel ruled today that Pavlich jumped to mark before the ball reached Schofield and braced for contact when he realised he would not take the mark.

The panel ruled the contact did not constitute a reportable offence.

Ballantyne, however, has been offered a one-match suspension for engaging in rough conduct against Scott Selwood.

Contact was assessed as reckless, body contact and low impact.

His previous poor record means he can't reduce the penalty to a reprimand even if he enters an early guilty plea.

Pavlich dodged a bullet, with 93.75 carry-over points hanging over his head for an incident in Round 19 last season.

But the Fremantle captain didn't escape the derby completely unscathed.

He revealed on Twitter yesterday he had visited hospital after the game to get his "hand and finger fixed and stitched up".

"No breaks & looks good for Rd 2," he said.

LiveHQ: SuperCoach scores, stats and more from Freo's win

Pavlich was held goalless in the Dockers' impressive win, restricted to just 60 SuperCoach points.

PAVLICH'S HAND. PHOTO: INSTAGRAM

Source: HWT Image Library

But North Melbourne star Drew Petrie said the star forward had little to worry about for his report.

"Hopefully the tribunal and match review panel will look favourably on it," he told Channel 7's Game Day.

Petrie said Pavlich bracing himself before colliding with Schofield in a marking contest meant he should have no case to answer.

Meanwhile, WEST COAST'S horror injury list has been compounded by the loss of Mark LeCras and possibly Eric Mackenzie.

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LeCras has had a plate inserted in his arm and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

Mackenzie pinged a hamstring, placing him in doubt for the Eagles' crunch Round 2 duel against Hawthorn.

Ruckman Dean Cox said LeCras was in scintillating pre-season form, adding to the tragedy of his injury in his first match since 2011.

"He had an x-ray last night and it did reveal he had a broken arm," Cox said today.

"They'll rush him to surgery as quickly as possibly and hopefully he doesn't miss too many weeks."

ADELAIDE also has injury concerns with Luke Brown substituted out of Friday night's loss to Essendon with a foot complaint.

LiveHQ: SuperCoach scores, stats and more from the Dons' win

Brown tweeted yesterday: "Thanks to everyone for the supportive messages. Good signs so far now to rest up and recovery."

ESSENDON star David Zaharakis will suit up in the VFL next week as he looks to build on match fitness after his limited pre-season.

Zaharakis, who was the substitute against the Crows, told Channel 7 he was set to line up for Essendon's reserves in a practice match against Sandringham.

- with AAP

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