Crows forward Tom Lynch holds his jaw after the heavy bump from Melbourne's Jack Viney. Picture: Simon Cross. Source: News Corp Australia
MELBOURNE midfielder Jack Viney is the latest AFL player being held to account for leaving an opponent with a major head injury.
This is regardless of his collision with Crows forward Tom Lynch at Adelaide Oval on Saturday being seen outside the tribunal process as an accident or the unfortunate byproduct of a heavy contest for the ball.
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The AFL match review panel last night stayed true to the precedent set a fortnight ago when Adelaide midfielder Richard Douglas was cited for his concussion-causing bump on Greater Western Sydney captain Callan Ward.
The MRP sent that report direct to the tribunal.
The panel has made the same call on Viney whose clash with Lynch left the Adelaide forward with a broken jaw. Lynch is expected to miss between four and six games.
Lynch was sandwiched between Viney and Melbourne defender Alex Georgiou who was concussed in the incident.
Melbourne's Jack Viney has been referred directly to the tribunal for his bump on Adelaide's Tom Lynch, while Richmond's Brett Deledio has been offered a one-match suspension for striking Matthew Stokes.
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Douglas was banned for two games with his penalty made less severe by his guilty plea and good record across six seasons. Viney is in line for the same penalty if the tribunal stands firm on the theme a player will be punished for any contact with a rival's head, more so if there is a serious injury or concussion.
The MRP's decision to not grade the Viney-Lynch incident also is in line with AFL football chief Mark Evans' belief that some reports should go direct to the tribunal to allow the player to offer evidence that cannot be noted in video review.
In other verdicts from the MRP:
RICHMOND playmaker Brett Deledio can take a one-game ban if he pleads guilty to striking Geelong speedster Matthew Stokes at the MCG on Sunday.
STOKES has the offer of a one-match ban for striking Richmond defender Steven Morris.
Melbourne defender Alex Georgiou and Crows forward Tom Lynch on the ground after clashing heads. Picture: Simon Cross.
FREMANTLE midfielder David Mundy can secure his part in Saturday's clash with Port Adelaide at the Oval if he accepts the reprimanded offered for rough conduct on West Coast midfielder Scott Selwood.
BRISBANE defender Luke McGuane also has a reprimand to accept for string Sydney defender Jeremy Laidler.
Each player has until late morning to accept the MRP verdicts or make a challenge to the tribunal on Tuesday night.
For the sixth time this season, the MRP has dismissed a match-day report. The umpire's case against North Melbourne forward Lindsay Thomas for striking Gold Coast utility Danny Stanley was dismissed as the force was "below that required to constitute a reportable offence".
