Eagles’ LeCras offered one-game AFL ban

West Coast forward Mark LeCras can reduce his AFL suspension with an early plea, even though he has already accepted two match review panel fines this season.

LeCras was charged with rough conduct against James Frawley only a week after he accepted a $1500 fine for the same offence.

In round 14, he took a $1000 fine for striking.

The Frawley bump cost LeCras a two-match suspension, but he can reduce it to one with an early plea.

In the match review panel findings, the LeCras charge said “the player has no applicable bad record”.

Under the AFL’s revamped tribunal system, the two earlier offences have a lesser rating and so they do not impact his penalty for the Frawley bump.

LeCras will automatically receive a one-game ban for the rest of this season if he is booked a third time for a lower-level offence.

If LeCras accepts his one-game ban for the high bump on Hawthorn defender Frawley, he will miss Sunday’s crucial western derby against Fremantle.

The loss to the Hawks means the Eagles are now a game and a half behind top side Fremantle and only half a game ahead of Hawthorn.

The top two teams host qualifying finals.

West Coast lost star ruckman Nic Naitanui for the Hawthorn game because of death in the family and defender Jeremy McGovern suffered another hamstring injury on Saturday night.

LeCras’ rough-conduct charge against Gold Coast opponent Matt Shaw a week ago was rated as careless conduct and low impact.

On Monday, the match review panel ruled that Saturday night’s Frawley bump was careless conduct with medium impact to the head.

LeCras would risk the two-game ban if he went to the tribunal.

A rough-conduct charge against Essendon’s Adam Cooney for a heavy hit on GWS midfielder Stephen Coniglio was referred straight to the tribunal, meaning the Bombers midfielder cannot submit an early guilty plea.

The tribunal will most likely hear that case on Tuesday night.

Sydney defender Ted Richards can accept a $1000 fine for making forceful front-on contact with Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins.

The match review panel ruled that Adelaide onballer Matt Crouch’s open-handed strike to the face of Richmond captain Trent Cotchin did not warrant a report.

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