Tribunal controversy: AFL appeals ‘inadequate’ Bachar Houli suspension

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The AFL will appeal Bachar Houli’s two-week suspension for knocking Carlton’s Jed Lamb unconscious.

In submitting the appeal, the AFL said the penalty was “manifestly inadequate”.

The appeal will be heard on Thursday night.

Houli was last night found guilty of intentionally striking Lamb, prompting widespread shock from fans and experts at the leniency of the suspension.

Richmond wheeled out the big guns in defence of its rebounding defender, with TV identity Waleed Aly among those to give character references.

Ross Stevenson: It’s a bit like telling a shooting victim the bad news is you’ve been shot, the good news is the bloke who shot you is a good bloke.

The controversial decision prompted Jon Anderson on 3AW Breakfast to say the system needed reform, and works better with three ex-footballers with legal experience and a “do it on a common sense approach”.

Click PLAY to hear Ando discuss it with Ross and John

Carlton’s Lamb was knocked unconscious and didn’t play again that day.

A 3AW Football Twitter poll of 1,144 fans produced some one-sided results:

• Too much: 7%
• Too little: 68%
• Just right: 25%