Port Adelaide has announced its intention to appeal the AFL tribunal’s guilty verdict against Zak Butters. Chief executive Matthew Richardson expressed the need for reforms within the tribunal’s procedures during a media conference on Thursday. His remarks follow a controversial hearing where Butters was convicted of suggesting to umpire Nick Foot that “the Saints” could be bribing him during a match against St Kilda.
Richardson expressed understanding for juror Jason Johnson, who was forced to listen to the proceedings from his car while heading to another commitment. Many, including AFL legend Garry Lyon, have argued that the situation is “embarrassing” and highlights a lack of professionalism in how the league’s tribunal operates.
In their hearing, which was conducted virtually, the tribunal’s decision was received with frustration from Port Adelaide as they were informed they would only receive the reasoning behind the verdict the next day due to procedural deadlines. Richardson stated, “Port Adelaide’s position is quite clear – the tribunal process requires reform.” He believes the current setup is excessively legalistic and adversarial, placing undue stress on those involved.
While Richardson refrained from labelling the tribunal’s conduct as unprofessional, he did indicate that jurors should not have found themselves in such challenging circumstances. He proposed the industry should ensure a panel of qualified jurors is available to dedicate their full attention during tribunal hearings, rather than being distracted by other commitments.
Media personality Lyon was particularly vocal about the implications of Johnson’s situation, suggesting that no juror should be considering such a significant case while in transit. He argued for a more rigorous standard of professionalism in the league, as he believes it diminishes the integrity of the tribunal when one of the key decision-makers is unable to fully focus.
Johnson, who previously played for Essendon, formed part of a jury that also included Richmond’s Darren Gaspar, under the chairmanship of Renee Enbom. The hearing for Butters had faced delays, with another judgment regarding Lance Collard occurring concurrently, which strained tribunal resources.
This incident has raised critical questions about the AFL’s management of its tribunal system and the expectations of its jurors, with Lyon claiming that the current operational state makes the league appear disorganised. The AFL has been approached for further comment on the issue.