Trouble for Morabito after second report
Anthony Morabito's return to AFL ranks could be derailed with the Fremantle midfielder at risk of another lay-off from the game.
Morabito was reported for the second time this season while playing for Peel against South Fremantle on Saturday.
The Docker, working his way back to the top league after a third knee reconstruction, was booked for front-on contact at Bendigo Bank Stadium
While the WAFL match review panel will scrutinise the report tomorrow a suspension would have serious ramifications for the unlucky Morabito and Fremantle.
A one-week ban could turn into a near four-week stint on the sidelines.
The WAFL has a general bye for the State clash with the NEAFL next weekend. And Peel have the bye in the following round. So, if sanctioned, Morabito wouldn't be able to serve the penalty with the Thunder until their June 7 battle with East Fremantle. That would mean the 22-year-old wouldn't be able to play again until June 14.
Fremantle have an AFL bye next weekend but resume on June 1 against the Western Bulldogs.
But it would be an interesting debate within the WAFL whether Morabito, if necessary, would be permitted to use the Dockers' match with the Dogs to serve any State league-imposed suspension.
However, the latest incident wasn't as severe as the contact he made when booked by the WAFL umpires in round six. He was later cleared of the charge.
A suspension would also add to Morabito's frustration.
He was scheduled to play his first match for the Dockers since September 2010 in the western derby two weeks ago but was hit by tonsillitis.
The booking continued a worrying trend for the Dockers.
Morabito, Nat Fyfe, Michael Johnson, Zac Dawson, Hayden Ballantyne, Jack Hannath, Tom Vandeleur and Colin Sylvia have been reported in the AFL or WAFL this season.
