Railways’ Logan Stubber fails to have his two-week suspension for a head high bump overturned at GSFL tribunal

Star Railways midfielder Logan Stubber will miss the next two matches after failing to overturn his suspension for rough conduct at the GSFL tribunal on Tuesday night. Stubber, the 2019 Kleemann Medal winner, was reported for a head high bump on Mt Barker youngster Sebastian Ballard during the final quarter of Sunday’s match at Tigerland. Ballard was helped from the field and was ruled out the rest of the game with concussion, according to Bulls coach David Johnson. The Bulls went on to record a come-from-behind 11-point win over the reigning premiers. At the end of the game Stubber was charged with bumping or making forceful contact to an opponent front-on when that player had their head down over the football. The umpires offered Stubber a penalty of two weeks, as per GSFL standard tribunal set penalty guidelines, but the Tigers decided to challenge the ban at the tribunal. Evidence was given by reporting umpire Adam Martin at the hearing along with Ballard and Stubber and Bulls player Sam Lehmann. The Bulls presented medical documentation to show Ballard was not able to work this week. The three-member tribunal found Stubber guilty of the charge and handed him a two-game suspension. The Tigers are unlikely to appeal the ban and Stubber hoped the league remained consistent with their punishment of this kind of incident. “Obviously disappointed with the outcome,” Stubber said. “The GSFL and the umpires have set a high standard now about protecting the head whether that be contesting the football or electing to bump. “So I just hope there is some consistency throughout the year regarding that rule because football is a contact sport and incidents like this one occur quite regularly throughout the game.” He will miss the Tigers’ grand final rematch with Royals this Saturday and also sit out their round four clash with Denmark-Walpole. This is the second GSFL suspension for Stubber, who served a one-week ban for striking in 2016. Stubber, one of the GSFL’s best midfielders, was one of the favourites in last year’s Kleemann Medal count. He is now ineligible to win the GSFL’s highest honour this year.