‘Bittersweet’: Lions star Jarrod Berry set for ‘world of pain’ over ugly possible eye gouge incident

Brisbane’s Jarrod Berry says there was “nothing purposeful” in the contact he appeared to make to the eyes of Melbourne opponent Clayton Oliver in a spiteful third term at the MCG.

And the Lions’ mid isn’t worried about a potential Match Review ban, saying the moment was “just a little scuffle in the centre of the MCG” and “part of the contest”.

Berry could become the third Lion to be suspended for a final this series, after both Cam Rayner and Noah Answerth missed the elimination final win over Richmond in week one.

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There’s been no love lost between Brisbane and the Demons in recent matches, with their last outing soured by a sledging scandal.

And it was no different in Friday night’s semi final as Oliver made an alleged eye gouging complaint to umpires late in the contest.

As the two tussled with Berry pinned on the MCG by Oliver over the top, vision showed the Lion reach up to his opponent’s face.

“I don’t want to use the word eye gouge, but we know when you get into this situation sometimes you’re doing things to try and get yourself out of them,” Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon said.

“Any hand around the eye or motion around the eye is always going to be something the MRO look on very sternly.

“It’s the first movement – it’s a slight raking motion of the eyes. I don’t think you can be a little bit guilty of this.”

Nathan Buckley admitted it was a “really poor moment” from Berry and said he’s “not in a great position”.

“That is so bittersweet. The thing that has won them this game is that match up (Berry on Oliver) and that performance in the second half by a young player, but it’s very unlikely to see next week given that incident,” Buckley said.

Fellow Fox Footy panellist Nick Riewoldt tried to mount a case in Berry’s defence.

“I think you have to take into consideration that Berry is on his back and he’s got his arm across his face/throat. You are pretty defenceless in that situation,” he said.

“(Berry’s actions are) going to be frowned upon.

“That will be the defence – that he is defenceless on the ground.”

Journalist Jon Ralph told Fox Footy there was something in the ‘defenceless defence’ should the MRO cite Berry’s actions.

“I think he’s in strife,” he said.

“He doesn’t even have to be found guilty of eye gouging … all he needs to be found guilty of is unnecessary or unreasonable contact with the eyes.

“If it’s assessed as intentional, low impact and to the face, or to the eyes, well that’s a one week suspension.

“If he can have it assessed as careless – (argue) ‘I didn’t have my eyes on him, I wasn’t sure what I was doing, it was a getaway motion’, that’s the best option for him to play.”

The moment soured what was a brilliant effort from Berry to turn the match in Brisbane’s favour.

After being held by young opponent Deven Robertson in the opening half, Lions coach Chris Fagan made the tactical move to shift Berry onto Oliver for the second half.

And the Lion immediately got under Oliver’s skin.

Immediately after the tussle on the turf, Oliver could clearly be seen gesturing to his face to the umpires.

“That will dominate talk for the next week or so,” Lyon said.

“It’s not a great look.

“If they get through this, he’s going to be in a world of pain.”

The Match Review will now have a say on whether Berry faces Geelong in the preliminary final next week.