Pearce Hanley’s streak of 56 consecutive AFL matches will come to an end this Sunday after the Irishman received a one-match suspension from the AFL Match Review Panel.  

Hanley was charged with a Level Two striking offence against North Melbourne forward Lindsay Thomas during the third quarter of their Round 4 match.

In summary, due to his previous poor record, his one-match sanction remained at one match, even with an early plea.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the North Melbourne Football Club, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct (three points), low impact (one point) and body contact (one point). This is a total of five activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level One offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has an existing bad record of 93.75 demerit points carried over within the last 12 months, increasing the penalty to 218.75 points and a two-match sanction. 

An early plea reduced the sanction by 25 per cent to 168.06 points and a one-match sanction.

The 24 year-old previously held the second longest current streak of consecutive matches at the Club – behind teammate Jack Redden who has played 80 straight games.

Coincidentally, Redden was also been cited for a front-on bump to North Melbourne midfielder Ben Cunnington – but will still be available to face Melbourne at the Gabba this Sunday.

Redden received 125 demerit points after being charged with a Level One bumping or making forceful contact from front-on offence during the third quarter of last Sunday’s match at Etihad Stadium.

Based on the video evidence available and a medical report from the North Melbourne Football Club, the incident was assessed as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one points) and high contact (two points). This is a total of four activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level One offence, drawing 125 demerit points and a one-match sanction. He has no existing good or bad record. 

Redden decided to take an early guilty plea, which reduced the sanction by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 93.75 points towards his future record.