Geelong defender Tom Stewart has come under fire for pushing an injured player during the Cats’ 78 (11.12) to 63 (8.15) win over Melbourne on Thursday night.
In the first quarter, Demons midfielder Jack Viney emerged from a contest clutching his right shoulder and in visible pain.
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But Stewart then knocked Viney to the turf, placing more pressure on his injured shoulder.
Viney was tended to by Melbourne’s medical staff but played on and was one of Melbourne’s best.
Stewart’s questionable act didn’t go unnoticed by fans, and he’s set to come under scrutiny for the incident.
Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph said: “The push from Tom Stewart when clearly injured afterwards wasn’t called for.
“At worst Stewart will receive a $1500 misconduct fine for what the AFL calls unnecessary and unreasonable contact to Viney. Cleary he pushed him to ground.”
Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall said: “He did have a look at him as he’s down holding his shoulder, so he knows what he’s doing, which I think is a little bit disappointing.
“He’s such a good player Tom but every now and then he does these silly little things that he probably doesn’t need to do.”
Sarah Jones added: “Not a great look, is it. Not the sort of thing you want to see permeate through to junior levels.”
2008 Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney said on SEN: “What I didn’t like was Tom Stewart pushing (Viney) over.”
Melbourne fought back from a slow start to lead by seven points at three quarter time.
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But the Cats produced a blistering six-goal final quarter to blow the Dees away and claim victory.
The game was stopped for 10 minutes in the first term when Geelong spearhead Jeremy Cameron was knocked out cold by teammate Gary Rohan in a nasty instance of friendly fire.
Cameron was stretchered off the field in a medicab and taken to hospital.
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