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Fremantle forward Josh Treacy won't be available to debut against Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday, after the WAFL tribunal upheld his suspension handed down in a WAFL practice match last weekend.
The 19 year old, selected in the 2020 AFL rookie draft was initially handed a three match ban for striking Perth midfielder Brady Grey in a third quarter incident at Rushton Park on Saturday, Fremantle taking the charge to the tribunal in a bid to have the key forward cleared.
After a marathon two and a half hour hearing, Treacy was handed a two match ban, ruling him out of the opening two rounds of the WAFL and subsequently leaving him unavailable until round five of the AFL season.
'Josh Treacy (Peel Thunder) has been found guilty at the WAFL Tribunal tonight, Wednesday, March 17, of striking Brady Grey (Perth) during the WAFL Pre-Season game between Peel Thunder and Perth at David Grays Arena on Saturday, March 13. ' the WA Football Commission released in a statement.
In summary, Treacy pleaded not guilty and received a two (2) match sanction which must be served in the WAFL home-and-away season.
Based on the available evidence, the incident was assessed as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact by the tribunal.
Treacy will be unavailable for selection until WAFL Round 3, but will be available for selection in this weekend's WAFL practice match for Peel Thunder.
The youngster had been pressing his claims for a round one AFL debut against Melbourne, but the suspension now serves as a bitter blow to both Treacy and Fremantle with Justin Longmuir's side without Rory Lobb (knee) and likely to be without Sean Darcy (knee) for Saturday's match at the MCG.
As a result rookie ruckman Lloyd Meek will debut in round one, his first AFL match as he enters his fourth season on the Dockers list.
IMAGE: Fremantle FC.