Source : ABC NEWS
Melbourne forward Jacob van Rooyen faces a nervous match review officer (MRO) wait after collecting a “flat” Aliir Aliir during the Demons’ commanding 20.12 (132) to 8.8 (56) win over Port Adelaide.
Despite the win keeping the surging Demons in the hunt for a top four finish, the big talking point from Saturday’s clash at Adelaide Oval was the hit from van Rooyen, with the Demons spearhead set to face MRO scrutiny with the finals just a few weeks away.
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The Melbourne forward was attempting to spoil an Aliir mark in the second term, but appeared to mistime it and struck the Power defender high with a swinging arm.
Aliir, who went down and had to be helped off the field by trainers, failed his HIA test and spent the rest of his milestone 200th AFL game watching from the bench.
“He’s OK,” Power coach Josh Carr said of Aliir post-game.
“Obviously, he’s a little bit flat and a bit quiet, but Aliir is a leader. He’ll find a way to get himself up.
“Look, this is honest truth. I haven’t looked at it closely, but my first thought of it is I can see how it happens.
“It obviously didn’t look great, but I didn’t think it was overly malice either.”
Demons coach Steven King, who said he “hadn’t really seen” the incident, added it was “really unfortunate” for the Power intercept defender.
Melbourne will finish the weekend fifth on the ladder, level on points with Brisbane (third) and Hawthorn (fourth) but with a worse percentage.
The Demons host Western Bulldogs in the final home-and-away game next weekend, needing a win to guarantee they finish in the top-six and bypass the wildcard round and go straight to finals.
AAP/ABC
