X to mark the tribunal spot as North challenge charge

Roger Vaughan and Shayne Hope | July 15, 2025

North Melbourne will challenge ruckman Tristan Xerri’s three-game striking ban, meaning a big night for the AFL tribunal.

The in-form Kangaroos big man will join Carlton onballer Adam Cerra and Brisbane Lions forward Zac Bailey in having their cases heard.

North confirmed on Tuesday morning that they would appeal, after Xerri was banned for knocking out Melbourne onballer Tom Sparrow.

While the Roos did not specify what their case will be, the most obvious argument would be that the grading should be accidental conduct, not careless.

The incident sparked a furious reaction from Melbourne on Sunday and Demons hard-nut Jack Viney made no apologies for “flying the flag” after Xerri knocked out Sparrow.

The Melbourne midfielder was stretchered off the MCG.

“To see a teammate go down like that is quite scary and hopefully Tom’s OK,” Viney told AAP.

“It didn’t look great out there from Tom’s perspective. Fingers crossed Tom will be on the mend in not too long.

“Tempers are high out on the ground and when you see one of your teammates unconscious on the footy field it brings up a lot of emotions. I wasn’t in the mood for just letting it go out there, but that’s footy – tempers fly high and accidents happen.”

Cerra will be the first test case for the AFL’s controversial crackdown on umpire contact.

Under the AFL’s measures announced at the start of the month, Cerra was referred directly to the tribunal after a collision in last week’s loss to Brisbane.

It was the fourth time he had been booked for the offence within two years, triggering the hearing. He is the first player to fall foul of the new measures.

Normally, players accept fines for umpire contact, but the AFL is concerned about the growing prevalence of the collisions, which most often happen at centre bounces.

The AFL Players’ Association was unhappy when the crackdown was announced, saying they were not consulted.

Much debate has erupted around the new measures. Cerra’s teammate Jacob Weitering hopes common sense will prevail.

The tribunal could suspend Cerra if he is found guilty, although a more severe fine for the player appears the more likely sanction. A guilty finding also mean a $5000 fine for Carlton – another feature of the crackdown.

“It’s an interesting conversation. It’s had quite a bit of chatter with the penalties that may apply to players that are continuing to get caught up in those situations,” Weitering said.

“We’ll find out I guess, with the way the AFL takes things.

“But a bit of common sense, I think, needs to come into play with both players and umpires. The No.1 thing is player safety and umpire safety.”

Bailey will also front the tribunal after he was ruled out of Friday night’s home game against the Western Bulldogs. 

He will challenge his one-match ban for rough conduct, after a high bump on Carlton defender Nick Haynes.