General News
13 August, 2025
Laird cops two-week ban, will miss do-or-die final
By GARY WALSH KEY Bears Lagoon Serpentine enforcer Justin Laird has copped a two-match suspension. The ban follows a report for striking in Saturday’s Loddon Valley league clash with Calivil. Laird, a former coach at Janiember Park will need the...
By GARY WALSH
KEY Bears Lagoon Serpentine enforcer Justin Laird has copped a two-match suspension.
The ban follows a report for striking in Saturday’s Loddon Valley league clash with Calivil.
Laird, a former coach at Janiember Park will need the Bears to win two cut-throat finals and make the preliminary final for his 2025 to continue.
He will be on the sidelines for Sunday’s elimination final against Inglewood at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval.
And the reigning Frank Harding Medalist is now out of contention for back-to-back awards despite an impressive season.
He entered an early guilty plea to a striking charge, accepting a two-match ban.
The incident occurred in the last few minutes of Serp’s win over Calivil, with the Bears more than 20 goals in front.
Laird and Calivil defender Jayden Manderson had engaged in a minor scuffle on the Bears’ half-forward line, with one Demons player claiming to a field umpire that Laird had kicked his opponent.
The ball was on the wing, with a Serp player about to kick the ball into attack.
Manderson led Laird to the ball, but when he rose to attempt a mark, he was struck in the head with a roundhouse left arm.
The Calivil player fell face down on the turf as players converged for a melee in which Bears defender Sam Maher had his guernsey torn.
Laird was shown a yellow card and had to leave the field, at the same time as Manderson walked from the ground with two trainers at his side.
The strike was graded as intentional, high contact and medium impact, attracting a three-week suspension which could be reduced to two matches with an early guilty plea.
The club decided against taking the issue to the tribunal, which would have meant a four-week ban if an appeal was unsuccessful.
Last season, Serp took star full-forward Josh Mellington’s report for striking against Bridgewater straight to the tribinal, a decision that risked ending his career.
The tribunal threw out the charge, when a two-week suspension would have seen Mellington hit the 16-match career limit, resulting in deregistration and a lifetime ban.
Mellington has been given two reprimands this season under the penalty matrix used by AFL Central Victoria match review panel.
Laird’s suspension may mean he has played his last match for Serp. The gutsy ruck-rover has been linked to North Central league team Calder United for next next season.
He has been with Bears Lagoon Serpentine since 2017 after playing junior football in Bendigo and with Eaglehawk, Maryborough and Dunolly.
Laird has more than 300 career games, being named best in at least half and kicking 414 goals.
Stepping down as Bears coach after 2023, Laird has been vice-captain of the side this season and kick one goal on Saturday.