Geelong defender Tom Stewart is expected to spend time on the sidelines as he comes under MRO scrutiny for his late hit on Richmond's Dion Prestia, with the star Cat conceding he had made a "horrible error" during the first term incident.
Prestia was helped from the field with the help of trainers after copping a forceful elbow from Stewart and appeared dazed. The three-time premiership Tiger was subbed out of the game with concussion afterwards.
Speaking after the three-point Geelong victory, Cats coach Chris Scott admitted he had spoken with Stewart after the match about the incident, with the 29-year-old accepting he had done the wrong thing.
"I've known Tom for a long time and he is a scrupulously fair player and just a fantastic strong character, fundamental to what we do at Geelong," Scott said.
"When my time has come and gone, I'll look back and say I was honoured to coach Tom Stewart.
"When I spoke to him post-game, he said 'I've just made a horrible error and I feel terrible about it. I ran past the ball and I chose to bump, I didn't mean to do it but gee it was terrible execution and I'm going to pay the price for it'.
"I wouldn't normally be this expansive but I thought it speaks to the man.
"He knows he's done the wrong thing.
"Was it deliberate? Of course it wasn't. He's made an error, and as people do that I admire, he's prepared to stand up and say I was wrong.
"It doesn't help them ... they lose one of their best players and we don't run away from that fact.
"But he should have some comfort in the fact that's not him and it was an error of execution and nothing more
"Tom's a pretty emotional guy and he was feeling it, we could see, visibly, it weighing heavily on him.
"He'll pay the price, I don't think there's much doubt about that, and you can't control what people think of you."
Stewart was booed by Tigers fans for the remainder of the match, which didn't seem to faze the three-time All Australian, helping his side to a close win with 29 touches and six marks.
The star Cat is expected to be handed a lengthy ban, with MRO findings due to be handed down on Sunday evening.
If graded as high impact and high contact- the latter which can’t be denied, Stewart faces a three game ban.
However, if graded as severe impact, the three time All-Australian could be sent straight to the tribunal where he could face a month out of action.
Prestia meanwhile, will miss Round 16's clash against the Eagles at the MCG as he enters the AFL’s concussion protocols.