Geelong's Jake Kolodjashnij and Sydney's James Rowbottom are facing a nervous wait ahead of the Match Review Officer's verdict from Saturday's action after separate incidents during their respective Round 9 matches.
In an incident with St Kilda forward Jack Higgins, Kolodjashnij elected to bump the Saints youngster after handing off the ball to teammate Zach Tuohy.
Higgins was subsequently subbed out of the match after failing a concussion test, however, his coach Brett Ratten detailed post-match that the head knock may have initially triggered from a marking contest with Cat Tom Stewart in the opening quarter.
"We didn't know (about the first incident) and he just got up but then didn't feel right in the second when he got taken out, so we made that decision then," Ratten said.
Is Kolodjashnij in hot water for this incident with Jack Higgins? ๐ค
๐บ Watch #AFLSaintsCats on ch. 504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/ieRTBIx1bP
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๐ข MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/lpFvQh9xGi pic.twitter.com/89bOjD8Sfg— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) May 14, 2022
Kolodjashnij is likely to at least have his bump on Higgins assessed by the MRO, however, may be considered unlucky to be handed a suspension.
โIt didnโt look like there was a lot in it,โ Fox Footy's Jonathan Brown said of the incident.
โOn face value, he would be unlucky to get a weekโs suspension for that.โ
The concussion scare is Higgins' second of this season, with the ex-Tiger having suffered an alarming head knock against Richmond in Round 3.
Meanwhile, Rowbottom could face punishment for his first-half incident involving Bombers star Zach Merrett on Saturday night.
After Merrett lost possession of the ball in the centre of the SCG, Rowbottom was unable to halt his momentum toward the Essendon onballer and collected the 26-year-old high.
Is James Rowbottom in trouble? ๐ pic.twitter.com/2CaubiQWci
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Merrett eventually rose to his feet but was left bloodied by Rowbottom's high hit.
โThereโs got to be something to answer for here,โ Fox Footy's Nathan Buckley said of the incident.
โI donโt reckon Rowbottom lined him up, but in the end he wasnโt at the football. Thatโs head-high contact.
โMerrett got up and continued to play the game, but ultimately with the rules as they stand, thereโs a bit to look at there.โ
Rowbottom is likely to face suspension or a sanction for the high bump, with the MRO set to unveil their findings on Sunday evening.
