Melbourne forward Kysaiah Pickett faces nervous wait after high bump on Patrick Cripps

Melbourne forward Kysaiah Pickett could miss a potential preliminary final after leaving his feet to bump Carlton captain Patrick Cripps and making high contact.

Midway through a furious second term in the do-or-die semifinal at the MCG on Friday night, the West Australian Demon eyed an opportunity to make a statement as the Blues reeled in the home side’s early advantage.

Cripps had the ball on the outer-side wing as Carlton looked to push another foray forward, with the Blues skipper shooting off a handball just moments before fellow WA product Pickett cannoned into him.

The majority of Pickett’s shoulder struck Cripps in the chest, but the back of his shoulder collided with the Carlton star’s face.

Cripps was quick to pick himself off the deck but went to the bench with blood seeping from his nose.

However, he did not undergo a concussion assessment and returned to the field almost straight away.

Hawthorn champion and Channel 7 commentator Luke Hodge said Pickett would come under scrutiny for the blow.

“As soon as you opt to bump a player and you get him high, they’re definitely going to look at it,” he said during the broadcast.

Pickett has a history of high bumps after copping a two-week ban in the opening round of the season for a hit on Western Bulldog Bailey Smith.