Carrazzo facing one-week ban

Updated March 05, 2012 17:49:08

Carlton onballer Andrew Carrazzo can accept a one-match suspension with early guilty pleas to two striking charges following Sunday's preseason match with Western Bulldogs.

The AFL's match review panel charged Carrazzo with a level two offence for striking Patrick Veszpremi during the third quarter of their second round preseason cup match at Docklands.

Carrazzo can accept a reprimand and 70.31 points towards his future record, or contest the case at the tribunal and risk a penalty of 93.75 points, which has been reduced from 125 demerit points due to a five-year good record.

A second charge against Carrazzo of striking Bulldogs small forward Shaun Higgins during the third quarter of Sunday's match has drawn the same penalty of 70.31 points with an early guilty plea.

If Carrazzo pleads guilty to both charges, he will miss Saturday's round three preseason match against Brisbane in Maroochydore.

Even if the onballer unsuccessfully contests both charges at the tribunal, he will miss just one preseason match.

The panel dismissed a match day report against West Coast's Jacob Brennan for front-on contact with Port Adelaide's John McCarthy.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carlton-3053

First posted March 05, 2012 17:49:08

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Blues' Carrazzo backs team-mate Scotland

Updated February 01, 2012 07:11:07

Carlton midfielder Andrew Carrazzo has backed team-mate Heath Scotland, who is under New South Wales Police scrutiny following an alleged brawl on the weekend.

Scotland has told Carlton officials he helped his brother when a fight broke out at a ski club at Mulwala on the New South Wales-Victoria border.

"He's doing well, you'd expect nothing else," Carrazzo said.

"He's been himself the last couple of days, so we're just going to back him in.

"We fully support Heath."

Carrazzo, Scotland and their team-mates attended a club promotion on Tuesday at Melbourne's famous Lygon St restaurant strip.

Carrazzo said the preseason was going well for the Blues, who aim to break into the top four this year.

Ruckmen Matthew Kreuzer and Shaun Hampson will again be crucial for Carlton.

"Just having a fit and able team - having Matty Kreuzer back for a full season is going to really help," Carrazzo said.

"Shauny Hampson as well, having him in there for a full season is going to really help ... just the general improvement across the board rather than additions we've had to the group."

It was revealed on Tuesday that Hampson had undergone laser surgery in the off-season to improve his eyesight.

Hampson was struggling to see the ball at long distances, especially during night games.

"'Hammer' is going to be really important for us this year, we need to build our stocks in the ruck and (up) forward and he definitely fits into that category," Carrazzo said.

The news also remains positive for captain Chris Judd, who has recovered well from shoulder surgery.

"He's going great guns, he's joined in some stuff at training and within the next week or two he'll be in full contact (work)," he said.

"He's going really well ... I expect him to play a couple of games in the pre-season."

Carrazzo is so far enjoying his life upheaval after wife Yvette gave birth to triplet girls earlier this month.

"It's been very unique, as I'm sure most people could identify with, but it's been good and exciting," he said.

"It's good to have something else going on in your life - footy can get a bit serious and a bit full-on a lot of the time and I'm really enjoying it so far."

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carlton-3053, vic, australia

First posted January 31, 2012 20:03:17

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