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AFL MRO: Is the milestone Magpie in trouble for this tackle?

The 200th gamer gave away a free kick for this dangerous tackle.

Published by
Frank Seal

Collingwood's milestone man, Brayden Maynard may find himself under match review office scrutiny in his 200th game for this dangerous tackle on North Melbourne midfielder Tom Powell.

The incident occurred in the second quarter of the Marvel Stadium clash, when a frustrated Maynard aggressively dumped his opponent over the boundary line and into the turf with a blatant sling action.

Powell's brace was substantial enough to avoid a head collision, but the action itself may be enough to warrant a suspension, given the recent trend of dangerous tackles in the AFL.

The tackle was punished live with a North Melbourne free kick as teammates briefly remonstrated. However, the play was able to continue without interruption.

The lack of head contact will be the saving grace for Maynard should he manage to get off; had Powell's head slammed into the turf, the Magpie may be looking at a long stint on the sidelines.

It comes in what has been a week of heartbreak in the build up to his 200th, Maynard post-match sharing how he is dealing with the passing of a friend, who was lost to mental health battles.

With the Magpies scraping over the Kangaroos by one-point in a nine-goal comeback of the season, it could not have been a more emotional fortnight for the barometer backman.

This incident may warrant a one-to-two week suspension, with Collingwood potentially taking the incident further.

The tackle was one of two incidents potentially worthy of suspension, with Kangaroo Kallan Dawson putting himself in the spotlight with a high bumper bar on Magpie Jack Crisp.

The hit happened on the third quarter of the match after Crisp disposed the ball on the wing, before Dawson threw his elbow in, making contact with the Magpies' jaw.

This may be more of a clear-cut suspension than the Maynard tackle, given the head-high contact, and may see him face an extended stint out of action.

The Match Review Officer will hand down the findings Monday evening.

Published by
Frank Seal