Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury will come under scrutiny for an off-the-ball hit on Brisbane superstar Lachie Neale on Thursday night.
Pendlebury, who has never been suspended across his brilliant 386-game career, struck Neale with what appeared to be an open hand at a ball up during the third quarter of the Magpies’ 20-point win.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Pendlebury floors Neale off the ball.
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Neale immediately went down to the ground and the umpire paid a free kick.
As replayed rolled on the big screen, the crowd were furious and booed Pendlebury whenever he got a possession.
“I think he would have a pretty clean record, but it doesn’t come down to that in this day and age. I am not sure exactly what happened but I am sure it will be looked at throughout the week,” Joel Selwood said on Channel 7.
Brian Taylor added: “It will definitely be looked at, no doubt about that.”
It was a very uncharacteristic act by Pendlebury, who has only ever been fined once throughout his glittering career.
Even if he was charged by the match review officer, a suspension would be unlikely given it was to the body and technically in play.
Similar incidents this year by George Hewett and (coincidently) Neale when they struck each other in the Opening Round only resulted in fines for both.
After the match, Pendlebury said he apologised to Neale for the incident.
“He said he got a fine for a similar thing … I said sorry to him, I didn’t mean to do it. What will be, will be,” he told Channel 7.
“Retaliation always gets caught. Mum always told me that and I got sucked in tonight.”
Pendlebury was one of the Magpies’ best, racking up 21 possessions in the important win.
Fellow veteran Tom Mitchell was also prolific in his 200th game, while the Daicos brothers were instrumental as the Pies notched their first victory of the season.
Sharpshooter Jamie Elliott kicked four straight, while Brody Mihocek and Bobby Hill kicked three apiece.
More to come …