Adelaide midfielder David Mackay is expected to dodge suspension for the hit that broke Hunter Clark’s jaw because he was legally contesting the ball despite the brutal nature of the incident.
Match review officer Michael Christian will consider the decision on Sunday but a pair of precedents this year are likely to see Mackay playing on without suspension.
Hawthorn’s Jaeger O’Meara was not suspended for a hit that rocked Will Hayward on Friday night, while Gold Coast’s Jarrod Harbrow escaped censure for a similar collision with Carlton’s Michael Gibbons.
In both of those incidents the player had their hands on the ball when a collision occurred, and were deemed to have legally contesting the football.
Only if a player is found guilty of a reportable act is the damage to an opponent relevant.
