AFL Tribunal Verdicts: Fines and Bans for Cerra, Bailey, and Xerri

Blues midfielder Adam Cerra, Roos ruck Tristan Xerri, and Lion Zac Bailey faced the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday. Cerra was fined $5500 for making careless contact with an umpire for the fourth time. Brisbane's Zac Bailey and North Melbourne's Tristan Xerri received bans of one match and three matches, respectively.

Cerra was referred directly to the Tribunal for his fourth offence of making careless contact with an umpire within two years. While he avoided suspension, Bailey and Xerri had their bans upheld. The Tribunal deliberated for 75 minutes before reaching a decision.

The AFL argued for a heftier fine for Cerra to deter such behavior in the future. However, Cerra's counsel argued that penalizing him for the increase in umpire contact across the League would be unfair.

Cerra will be available to play against Melbourne, but Bailey will miss Brisbane's match against the Western Bulldogs due to a one-match ban for rough conduct. Xerri's three-match suspension for striking Melbourne's Tom Sparrow was also upheld.