Geelong Cats champion Patrick Dangerfield is set to be scrutinised by the match review officer after knocking out Adelaide Crows defender Jake Kelly in a gruesome bump.
The 26-year-old was taken from the field on a stretcher after Dangerfield charged at the Adelaide backman midway through the second quarter, resulting in a brutal head clash as Kelly disposed of the footy.
While none of Fox Footy's expert commentators believed Dangerfield had acted with "malice". Jason Dunstall and Nick Riewoldt said the eight-time All Australian had landed himself in serious trouble.
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"He didn't jump to bump, which is good, and it wasn't a jump bump where the shoulder hits the chin, but he still elected to bump after the ball had gone and the head clash is going to be his responsibility," Dunstall said.
Riewoldt agreed.
"Basically, if you chose to bump you forfeit all rights – that's what we've been told," Riewoldt said.
"Despite the fact there's no malice or intention to get him high … That's irrelevant."
The AFL has cracked down hard on concussion this year.
The governing body introduced in January a new rule whereby a player substituted out of a match with concussion cannot play again for 12 days.
The AFL then introduced a controversial law less than two days out from the season-opening clash between Richmond and Carlton, ruling that a concussed or injured player can be substituted from a match for a medical substitute, also known as the 23rd man.
Dunstall hammered home the importance of looking after the head.
"We need that rule because we have to protect the head," Dunstall said.
"There are too many concussions and we're seeing the impact of repeated concussions with past players and the like being investigated and studied."
Match review officer Michael Christian will deliver his findings on Dangerfield's bump tomorrow.
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