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Stevo's Sting: What Houli appeal means for AFL tribunal

Bravo, Simon Lethlean and whoever else at City Hall had an input into the decision to appeal the Bachar Houli fortnight farce.

It is the first time in history the AFL has appealed a decision by its own tribunal, and it simply had to be done.

It might have been easier for Lethlean, in his first year in the footy boss role, to let it slide and send out a warning, putting the tribunal on notice to harden up.

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But an appeal it is, and this will be a wildly popular decision. And a rarity, given so much that a footy ops man has to deliver is wildly unpopular.

The appeal comes on the grounds that the two-week ban for Houli for striking Jed Lamb was "manifestly inadequate".

Twitter: @Stevo7AFL
Twitter: @Stevo7AFL

Only the most rabid Tigers fan could argue that wasn't the case.

The moment the tribunal found Houli guilty of intentionally striking, refusing to downgrade it at careless, the suspension had to be in the three to four-week range. Probably four.

Being sent straight to the tribunal is supposed to be a bad thing! Off the charts! Out of the MRP grid!

Yet somehow the tribunal managed to create a scenario where Houli was somehow advantaged by a rare visit to the tribunal.

He received a softer suspension than the rigid grading system, with too much weighting given to off-field character.

Had the AFL accepted the decision, the judicial system and, by extension, the MRP would have been in crisis.

Players suddenly would be hoping to be sent straight to the tribunal to play the 'good bloke' card.

Roll out the red carpet, shake the cocktails - the tribunal was suddenly the place to be after the Houli decision!

Houli played the 'good bloke' card, thanks to Malcolm Turnbull. Pic: Getty
Houli played the 'good bloke' card, thanks to Malcolm Turnbull. Pic: Getty

It won't end as cosily on Thursday night.

The AFL prosecutor will be hoping for four, Houli will get three and sanity will be restored.

The tribunal will once again become a place to fear, as it has to be.