BREAKING NEWS; Powell-Pepper, the “scapegoat,” was suspended for four AFL games.

The only issue that remained after Powell-Pepper filed his guilty plea at the tribunal on Wednesday morning was the suitable punishment; the AFL requested four games, while Port Adelaide’s legal representative said three games would be more suitable.

Powell-Pepper said that he could not recall what had transpired at the instant when Mark Keane’s body was turned toward him during the tackle, even though he had meant to assist teammate Willie Rioli in doing so.

Powell-Pepper said, “I play the half forward role and that requires a lot of repeat efforts and applying a lot of pressure.”

“Though everything happened very quickly, I wouldn’t have been too far away from the scene of the tackle.”

“My only goal was to come in and assist Willie Rioli in the tackle.

“I recall setting up my feet and entering a low state to engage in combat.

“I don’t really remember what happened in that split second. It happened so quickly.”

Powell-Pepper explained that immediately after the game he had sought Keane’s phone number and sent him a text message to check on him.

Acting for Powell-Pepper, lawyer Ben Krupka called evidence from human movement expert Dr Kath Shorter, who suggested the way Powell-Pepper planted his feet was consistent with him preparing for a tackle rather than a bump, and his body position was front on rather than side-on, which was also consistent with a tackle and not a bump.

Dr Shorter said there was less than a tenth of a second in which Powell-Pepper could have changed from his tackle pattern into a bump, which is not enough time to make a conscious decision.

AFL counsel Lisa Hannon KC reminded the tribunal the AFL’s new regulations meant past sanctions and incidents were no longer required to be considered.

She said the four-week suspension did not suggest Powell-Pepper ran in with an intention to bump Keane, but that it was “an entirely predictable outcome” for an incident in which he had a responsibility to protect Keane’s head.

Ms Hannon suggested that in 2024 a four-week ban was appropriate to set a deterrent to other players and set a standard of expectations to the AFL community regarding head contact.

Mr Krupka argued a three-week suspension was a “fair and proportionate penalty”.

He highlighted the time Powell-Pepper had to make a decision to bump was 0.09 seconds, not enough time to blink an eye let alone decide to bump.

Mr Krupka urged the tribunal not to make Powell-Pepper a “scapegoat” or “unfair example” given the current discussion around concussion, and instead only decide the penalty based on the evidence and level of culpability.

“Sam has never tried to avoid his responsibility for what occurred. We are here to argue for a fair and proportionate penalty within the rules.

“There was no conscious decision to bump. What culpability there is lies within the last 0.09 of a second, less than a tenth of a second. It was most likely a reflex action.”

“Sam gave evidence that his intention was to tackle. That was supported by the stills. That was supported by the video.

“It was totally inconsistent with an intention to bump.”

The Crows’ medical assessment, which was presented before the tribunal earlier, indicated that Keane was on the mend and should be ready to play in Round 1.

Before reaching its four-week verdict, the tribunal panel, which included former players Paul Williams and Jordan Bannister as well as Chair Renee Enbom KC, discussed for more than 90 minutes.

Powell-Pepper will therefore miss matches against Richmond, Melbourne, Essendon, and the West Coast.

The club is thinking about how to respond to an appeal.