Geelong coach Chris Scott is optimistic the AFL’s match review panel will let his star forward Paul Chapman off with a reprimand for his bump on Robbie Gray.
Chapman kicked a game-high four goals in Geelong’s 13.18 (96) to 12.8 (80) win against Port Adelaide at the MCG on Friday night in their knockout semi-final.
The victory sets the Cats on a path to next Friday night’s preliminary final against arch rivals Hawthorn, who have lost their past 11 clashes with Geelong since the 2008 grand final.
However Chapman’s report for rough conduct has sparked debate in football circles, with most commentators predicting a one-week ban for the 31-year-old small forward.
“I’ve heard it compared to the (Lance) Franklin one,” Scott told ABC Radio on Saturday.
Hawthorn’s Franklin was handed a one-match ban in round 23.
“The issue with the Franklin one was that it was very late, whereas Chapman’s was virtually simultaneous and not much force,” Scott said.
“I’m pretty optimistic that would be a reprimand at best.”
Scott has spoken previously about trying to educate his players about not launching massive bumps that could lead to suspensions.
“We have to keep working on it,” he said.
“It’s a split-second decision. When it’s simultaneous there should be a little bit of room (for leniency from the match-review panel) for error there.”
Port coach Ken Hinkley said he hadn’t seen the incident.
“We understand that the bump causes problems if you do get someone high,” Hinkley told 3AW Radio.
“If he’s made high contact, `Chappy’ is going to be in trouble because there’s just nowhere for the match review panel to go with the way they’ve graded things this year.”
Chapman also said on Saturday he hadn’t seen a replay.
“You’re always a little nervous. But look who knows?,” Chapman told Fox Sports News.
The 251-game veteran Chapman kicked two of Geelong’s three goals in the first half before the Cats recovered from a 23-point deficit to boot 10 goals to Port’s five in the second half.
The Cats are taking confidence from their second-half performance but Scott says Hawthorn are in the box seat after beating Sydney in the qualifying final then having a week off.
Scott doubts the Cats’ winning streak against Hawthorn is playing on the minds of coach Alastair Clarkson’s players.
“I reckon it’s BS to be honest,” Geelong’s 2011 premiership mentor said.
The Cats have qualified for their sixth preliminary final in the past seven years.
“The fact that it’s against Hawthorn adds a little bit of mystique to it,” Scott said.
“In terms of the history, I’m of the view that it either doesn’t matter, or if it does it’s something that Hawthorn have got to answer, not us.”
Defender Jared Rivers (ankle), who was subbed out in the third quarter against Port, is confident of playing against Hawthorn but Corey Enright (knee) appears doubtful.