Geelong Cats forward Gary Rohan in hot water for ‘stupid’ move
Rohan #Rohan
Geelong Cats forward Gary Rohan will be sweating on the match review officer’s verdict after clobbering Brisbane Lions midfielder Lachie Neale at GMHBA Stadium.
During the first quarter of Friday evening’s round two clash, the pair were jostling off the ball before Rohan lost his temper.
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The 29-year-old viciously swung his right arm into the side of Neale’s neck, with the reigning Brownlow Medallist falling to the turf.
Neale returned to his feet and rubbed his jaw before putting up three fingers, presumably to let Rohan know he’ll be spending three weeks on the sidelines.
“That was well and truly off the ball, wasn’t it?” reporters Abbey Holmes said on Channel 7.
“Lachie Neale not very happy with that.”
Soon after the incident, Rohan retired to the change rooms for a concussion test after being involved in a separate collision.
“(Rohan’s) lucky it wasn’t about three inches higher, because he would have broken his jaw and he’d be out for about half a season through suspension, I reckon,” Lions great Jonathan Brown said on Fox Footy.
“He should still get suspended for that, I think. That was undisciplined; that was just stupid.
“That’s a fair hit though — he’s clearly got him up around the neck.”
Footy reporter Jon Ralph said if the incident is branded as a high incident and medium impact by the MRO, Rohan will cop a two-week suspension.
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MRO Michael Christian has a busy weekend ahead of them, with spot fires igniting throughout the spirited opening term in Geelong.
Cats veteran Joel Selwood put a dangerous tackle on Lions oppoennt Tom Berry after the umpire had blown the whistle for a free kick.
At quarter-time, Geelong coach Chris Scott was held back by his own players as he barked towards Lions players in their team huddle.
The hosts held a 8.5 (53) to 4.6 (33) lead at halftime.