PATRICK Dangerfield has been referred directly to the AFL Tribunal for his bump on Jake Kelly during Geelong’s loss to Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
The Match Review Officer has charged the 2016 Brownlow medallist with engaging in rough conduct.
It follows an incident in which Dangerfield’s bump on Kelly during the second quarter resulted in a clash of heads and the Crow being stretchered from the field with a concussion.
The MRO has assessed the incident as careless conduct, severe impact and high contact, which means Dangerfield can’t accept an early guilty plea.
Geelong coach Chris Scott defended his superstar’s actions post-game.
“Sometimes players run into each other and there’s a head clash,” he said.
“To my eye, it looked like he (Dangerfield) was doing everything he could to protect himself and the other player.”
Twitter: @tom_king79
