Is Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale in hot water for touching umpire Matthew Nicholls in win over Carlton?

Is reigning Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale in hot water for making contact with an umpire?

Neale appeared to touch the umpire when he failed to win a free kick for head-high contact.

The former Docker was left bloodied by the contact and tried to draw the attention of umpire Matthew Nicholls.

In doing so, Neale reached out and made contact with Nicholls’ arm.

Camera Icon Lachie Neale was left bloodied after high contact. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

If the incident is deemed aggressive or demonstrative, Neale could find himself sent directly to the AFL Tribunal.

Neale’s moment of madness failed to dampen the Lions celebrations as Brisbane pushed past a plethora of injury scares and a six-goal haul from Carlton’s Harry McKay to beat the Blues by 18 points for their second AFL win on the bounce.

The Lions lost Darcy Gardiner to concussion in the first term while Neale (ankle), Mitch Robinson (eye), Dan McStay (head knock) and Harris Andrews (head knock) all had treatment throughout Saturday evening’s clash at Marvel Stadium.

Hugh McCluggage’s class stood out in his 33 disposals while Eric Hipwood pushed past an early hip complaint to kick three goals as the Lions shrugged off the Blues — and their own wastefulness to prevail 15.13 (103) to 12.13 (85).

Sam Walsh (33 touches) was again brilliant for the Blues while McKay thrashed Brisbane vice-captain Harris Andrews.

Carlton got off to a bright start, drawing first blood when Patrick Cripps slipped a handball to Mitch McGovern, who prodded home from just inside 50.

Brisbane managed to remain within touching distance at quarter-time despite their wastefulness while Neale went down holding his ankle late in the quarter after getting it caught underneath his body.

The Brownlow Medallist looked proppy early in the second quarter but was able to run off the injury and play out the game.

Camera Icon Lachie Neale limped from the field against Carlton. Credit: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos

After quarter-time, Brisbane exploded and looked set to leave a listless Carlton in their wake.

Deven Robertson steered through his first AFL goal on the run to put the Lions in front, while Hipwood kicked three for the quarter.

Carlton’s second term could best be summed up by a bizarre moment when Liam Stocker sprayed an attempted pass from the back pocket off the side of his boot through the big sticks for a rushed behind.

Despite their dominance, Brisbane led by just 26 points at the major break, keeping the door open for the Blues and McKay almost busted it down.

The key forward, with heavy strapping around his thigh, took two big contested marks and booted three goals to spark the Blues at the start of the third term with Carlton cutting the deficit to seven points.

But the Blues were unable to maintain the rage, with Cripps and Eddie Betts both wasteful in front of goal, while Brisbane’s late surge nudged the three-quarter time margin back out to 25 points.

From there, the Lions kept Carlton at arm’s length.

-With AAP