The night started with Adam Selwood defending himself against a charge of using insulting language. Des headland wasted no time getting on the front foot, declaring that Selwood had made statements relating to having sex with his little girl and going into explicit detail about what he thought of Selwood.

Peter Bell was then called as a surprise witness. He told the story that Des had been taken from the ground after the incident and told him about the some of the remarks Selwood had made about his daughter. Later in the game, he approached Selwood and discussed the issue.

The umpire stepped up and said he heard Des tell Selwood not to talk about his daughter like that but couldn't hear Selwood say anything.

Selwood was then brought to the stand. After a several hours of telling the tribunal about his charity work and his all round top blokishness, he got down to the act of trying to pass off a story that he used no insulting language whatsoever.

He said that Des clocked him, at which point he told Des that he had spent the night with the young lady on his tattoo. One can only assume what he did during the night, possibly played a game of Uno with her. He then claimed that Des lost it and punched him again. Selwood didn't remember using any of the swear words Des Headland heard.

In summing up, Selwood's defense question the credibility of Headland and pointed out once again what a top bloke Selwood is. After careful deliberation, the charge against Selwood was not upheld . After the hearing Selwood had a prepared statement to read of claiming that he had been deeply hurt by the accusations.

A very angry Des then had to defend himself on the charge of striking Adam Selwood. He was honest and forthright and told his version of events again, even pointing out that he was surprised that neither player had been charged with eye gouging. He said that he snapped when he heard the remarks, telling the tribunal that his daughter is his life.

The tribunal put their heads together again and decided that the first charge of striking should be sustained, the second should be thrown out because the video showed it was a push and not a strike, and the charge of wrestling was also sustained  however there was to be no penalty because of extreme provication. Despite the fact that they had cleared Selwood of using insulting language, they believed that Des believed what he'd said he’d heard which  was enough reason to react the way he did.

The verdict will see Des back in the side this week, free to play against the Demons at the home of footy.