An AFL Brownlow medalist could find himself in hot water after getting his hands on a referee on an ugly day for him and his side.
Two weeks ago, Nat Fyfe returned to the Fremantle promotion, but now he could be looking a season on the sidelines.
Carlton comfortably handled business against the Dockers in front of a solid crowd at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Watch all the AFL matches this weekend live and in free ad play in Kayo. Are we Kayo? Try 14 days free now>
Victory is a statement from the Blues and proves they are a true contender in 2022 after taking control after the quarter to claim victory by 12.9 (80) to 7.8 (50).
As bad as the Dockers’ departure was, the news only got worse in the third quarter when Fyfe put his right hand on a referee’s chest.
A scuffle developed as players from Bluy’s Matt Cottrell hit the ground hard, but he refused the attention of the trainer and rejoined his teammates on the pitch.
“Fyfe just kicked the Ump away. Absolutely nothing, but isn’t it an automatic suspension? Cody Ellis wrote.
Jon Ralph of The Herald Sun said that while he wasn’t the worst contact, he couldn’t have come at a worse time for Brownlow medal winner.
“Cottrell pushed Fyfe who then put his hand on the referee. Was it to balance or was it a lack of respect? The rules say he’s in trouble if he disrespectfully, aggressively, despises or intentionally touches a referee. Jon Ralph tweeted.
“For me it’s a fine at worst. But when double medalist Brownlow touches a referee in the midst of the current crackdown, it’s a point of discussion.”
Ben Cameron, who tweeted the images, doesn’t think he should have a case to answer.
“FWIW I don’t think Fyfe’s ‘contact with the referee’ was disrespectful, aggressive, despised or with a blunt intent to pose any problem for him. He was kicked out of Cottrell and pushed the referee away,” he said.
Fyfe endured a tough day and finished the contest with only 11 discards in his name.
The Blues proved to be the real deal with Sam Walsh who decimated the Dockers by accumulating 40 eliminations.
Walsh led the midfield charge as the Blues dominated the central clearances (+13) and within the 50s (+24).
“From what we just saw, Carlton should be the main one among the contenders,” Gerard Whateley told AFL Nation.