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Bulldogs to fight Minson ban

Will Minson is sent off for Footscray against North Ballarat. Pic: Getty Images

The Western Bulldogs have confirmed an appeal against Will Minson’s four-game VFL suspension for umpire contact, saying the punishment was excessive.

The appeal will be heard on Thursday night.

The Bulldogs are pointing to the umpire’s advocate at the initial hearing on Tuesday, who argued that Minson deserved a severe reprimand and a fine.

But the three-man tribunal panel decided on the suspension.

The ruckman was playing for the Bulldogs’ affiliate Footscray against North Ballarat last weekend when he pushed field umpire Thomas Chrystie.

In his testimony, Chrystie said the push was a four or five out of 10.

He added Minson swore at him immediately before the contact.

Chrystie sent Minson off because of the incident.

Minson was on the verge of returning to the AFL.

The appeal will be held at AFL Victoria’s headquarters from 6pm.

A three-person panel will hear the appeal.

Meanwhile the AFL Players Association has taken the unusual step of weighing into the Minson controversy, saying his four-game VFL suspension is entirely disproportionate.

The association supports the Bulldogs’ decision to appeal against the ban.

“(We) hope that common sense prevails,” the AFLPA said in a statement.

“While the AFLPA does not seek to influence the decision of the VFL appeals tribunal, it supports Will’s decision to challenge the outcome.”

The AFLPA added that before the Minson case, it had raised concerns with the AFL about tribunals in lower leagues.

“The AFLPA is concerned that the tribunal processes at second-tier levels have not evolved at the same rate as the AFL tribunal system and will be requesting that the AFL undertake a review to address these issues,” it said.