Star Adelaide forward Izak Rankine could come under MRO scrutiny for a high bump on Taylor Duryea in Saturday’s loss to the Bulldogs in Ballarat.
Midway through the third term Rankine’s hip made contact with Duryea’s head as the Crow braced to collect a ball that was on the ground, with the Dog also bending down to collect the footy.
While the incident looked like a football act, Damian Barrett, Kane Cornes and Matthew Lloyd discussed whether Rankine could expect to be punished on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
Izak Rankine is set to come under fire from the MRO for this hit on Duryea.
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Barrett: “That’s the issue there, I expect it to be referenced by the MRO and it may well be a week after Lachie Hunter got a week for what he did on Friday night against Connor Rozee.
“I don’t say that’s the right call, but that’s the way I read what they’re doing this year.
Cornes: “I think he’s got an out here, I think he’s making a genuine play on the ball.”
Barrett: “I think he’s doing that.”
Cornes: “He’s got his hands down going for the ball, that’s the technique you teach.
“Turn your body, protect yourself, play the ball, I’d be shocked if he got a week for that.”
Lloyd: “There was one where Tom Liberatore got knocked out against Andrew Brayshaw where he (Brayshaw) was low to get the ball.
“So there is a case where a player wasn’t punished (for a similar act).”
To receive a week, the bump would need to be classified as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact.