Jack Higgins is fronting the AFL Tribunal. Follow via Fox Footy & this thread.

The Saints argue Higgins is not guilty of the charge, because Higgins' conduct was not rough conduct and was not unreasonable in the circumstances. If that fails, they say "exceptional and compelling" circumstances apply given Aliir contributed significantly.

Adrian Anderson is representing the Saints.

The Saints are seeking to rely on the evidence of a... biomechanist.

The biomechanist's name is apparently Dr. Bane. Whoever they are, they merely adopted the Tribunal. I was born in it. Moulded by it.

Jack Higgins will now give evidence.

Jack Higgins confirms his height is 177cm and his weight is 79 kilos.

Jack Higgins says Aliir's body weight and momentum caused him to come off balance. He says he was aware Aliir's right arm was free. "I can't tackle a 95 kilo man to the ground, so all of his momentum was coming towards me."

Higgins on the immediate aftermath: "Even a Port Adelaide player said it was a good tackle and that I was stiff."

Higgins says he thought Aliir was going to land on his front. He says he felt Aliir's kicking motion was a major contributor to impact.

Biomechanist Dr. Helen Bayne has now joined us.

Bayne says Aliir's kicking motion as he's being tackled adds to his "angular momentum".

Bayne admits she can't for certain say Aliir wouldn't have been concussed if he hadn't have followed through with the kick, but it's her belief it would've lessened impact.

Nick Pane (AFL): The onus is on Higgins to execute a safe tackle. By pinning Aliir's arm and rotating him, he placed him in a vulnerable position. It's foreseeable a player may try to dispose of the ball by kicking and that may alter his balance.

Pane (AFL): The key arm, which could've protected Aliir, was his left arm and that was pinned by Higgins.

Pane (AFL) says Higgins began to execute a rotating tackle before Aliir attempted to kick the football. "In other words, Higgins initiated the dangerous tackle and placed Aliir in a vulnerable position."

Adrian Anderson is taking us through the 10 reasons Jack Higgins shouldn't be suspended.

I will have all the points once they are done. Adrian is at point six. I am at breaking point.

Adrian Anderson's 10 pointsᵀᴹ 1 - Aliir is taller, bigger, stronger 2 - Aliir pushes Higgins' left arm down, there’s nowhere else he can hold 3 - Aliir’s momentum takes Higgins off-balance 4 - Aliir’s arms are not pinned 5 - Higgins expected Aliir would land more to his front 6 - Aliir kicking motion contributed 7 - No opponents remonstrate 8 - No realistic alternative available to Higgins 9 - Doesn’t fall under any key indicators of a dangerous tackle in guidelines 10 - Toby Greene's tackle on Mac Andrew was worse and not even cited.

Anderson says under exceptional and compelling circumstances, it should be a two-match ban rather than three. "A three match sanction is not right. It's not appropriate in this situation."

Anderson: It's an unusual case where something has happened which makes the sanction higher than what it should be, primarily because of the unusual action in the tackle of Aliir.

Adrian Anderson says he has a couple of points in response to the AFL's couple of points. Tribunal Chair Renee Enbom: "You'll have to be quick Mr. Anderson, this hearing has nearly been going for an hour and 45 minutes." God bless Renee.

Anderosn notes Higgins has played 109 games without being suspended or fined. Of course.

Anderson*. But really who cares anymore.

The Tribunal is now deliberating.

Tune.

Tune.

Tune.

The Tribunal is still deliberating. I actually didn't put the Hubbl there on purpose lol

The Tribunal is still deliberating.

The Tribunal is still deliberating.