Coleman Medallist Jarryd Roughead will come under AFL match review panel scrutiny in a nervous start to Hawthorn’s grand final week.
The panel will also look at teammate Grant Birchall in Monday’s review, but it is Roughead who appears to be in bigger trouble following the bruising Friday night preliminary final win over Geelong.
Roughead shepherded Cameron Guthrie during the last term and the contact briefly forced the young Cats defender from the field.
“It was a split second decision – that’s all it was, I don’t think there’s much too it,” Roughead said on Saturday morning.
It was a tough night for Roughead, who has enjoyed an outstanding season and earnt his first All-Australian selection.
The league’s top goalkicker for the year only managed 11 disposals and kicked just one behind.
He has no carryover points or bad record against him should the panel decide to charge him.
Given Guthrie did not appear to be seriously hurt, the most likely outcome if the panel decides to take action is that Roughead will be able to take an early plea and a reprimand.
That would free him to play in Saturday’s grand final against Fremantle.
Birchall collected Mathew Stokes with an impressive bump during the third term, flooring the Cats midfielder.
Immediately after, Guthrie kicked a goal to put his side 17 points up and Geelong players made a point of remonstrating with Birchall.
But the Hawks half-back collected Stokes across the chest and crucially did not appear to make high contact.
“I hit his chest and the ball,” Birchall said.
“I didn’t get him high and just winded him. So, all sweet.”