North Melbourne captain Nick Larkey has urged “fierce competitor” Tristan Xerri to continue playing on the edge when he returns from his three-match AFL suspension.
Charged with serious misconduct, a remorseful Xerri threw himself at the mercy of the Tribunal on Monday night after admitting wiping his blood on Essendon opponent Andrew McGrath’s face.
The ruck star’s guilty plea and admission that there had been blood on his hand - which was not clear in the video footage - saved him from a heftier penalty.