SEN footy experts, David Schwarz and Dermott Brereton, have given their opinions on Bachar Houli's tribunal referral.
Former Melbourne best and fairest winner, Schwarz, believes Bachar Houli’s good reputation could help his cause at the tribunal tomorrow night.
Houli has been referred directly to the tribunal after his swinging elbow connected with the head of Carlton’s Jeb Lamb, leaving him concussed. However, Schwarz reckons the hearing could work in the Tiger’s favour, even though he will still be in trouble.
“It’s off the ball,” he said on SEN’s The Run Home.
“Once you’re off the ball, it becomes intentional. This could be a positive for Bachar, because he has a good record. He goes into the tribunal, he represents himself, and it may work in his benefit.
“It’s off the ball, behind the play, he has a look, so he is going to have issues.”
Five time premiership player, Brereton, also chipped in, saying Houli knew his intentions and is in order for a fair suspension.
“He has to go to the tribunal, otherwise you could grade it up now and it’s going to be a strong offence,” he said.
“I’ve heard all of the evidence about Bachar being a good bloke, but when someone puts an arm around your waist, you understand where their head is, so he knew he was going to whack him in the shoulder at the very lowest.
“Lamb doesn’t have the right to hold him when he is running, but there is also no right to hit him in the head.”
It’ll be the first time the tribunal sits this season.