Matthew Scarlett, Geelong Cats, has been charged with a Level Four striking offence against Hayden Ballantyne, Fremantle, during the third quarter of the round one match between the Geelong Cats and Fremantle, played at Patersons Stadium on Saturday March 31, 2012.
In summary, due to his previous poor record, his three-match sanction must remain at three matches, even with an early plea.
Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the Fremantle Football Club, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), medium impact (two points) and high contact (two points). This is a total if seven activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level Four offence, drawing 325 demerit points and a three-match sanction. He has an existing bad record of two matches suspended within the last three years, increasing the penalty by 20 per cent to 390 demerit points, and he also has 54.69 demerit points carried over from within the last 12 months, increasing the penalty to 444.69 points and a four-match sanction. An early plea reduces the penalty by 25 per cent to 333.52 points and a three-match sanction.