I'm not a media expert, but I'm not sure giving an eye-gouging incident another cycle in the media is how I'd go about it. Especially if your 'defence' of your player is: "We'll have a chat about that [challenging the ban]. I've spoken to Jimmy and so I know what Jimmy's intent was."
What possible explanation could there be for twice jutting your fingers towards another bloke's eyes?
It just reinforces the culprit was an eye-gouger, and that St Kilda - historic safe space for young men of questionable morals - considers that there are legitimate excuses for gouging another man's eyes.
There's no need to defend McCarthy's character. He mistimed a tackle and hurt a bloke. I don't think anyone thinks less of him for it. Like hypen, I just feel like he can't get anything right at the moment.