Adelaide’s Richard Douglas offered a one-match suspension for his bump on Zach Merrett

ADELAIDE has suffered a significant blow ahead of Thursday night’s Grand Final rematch against Richmond with match review officer Michael Christian coming down hard on Richard Douglas for his bump on Essendon’s Zach Merrett.

Zach Merrett is helped from the ground. Picture: Getty Images

MRP boss Michael Christian has ruled Richard Douglas ran past the ball and made clear contact to Zach Merrett’s head with his shoulder after handing him a one-week suspension.

It is a massive blow for the undermanned Crows as they look to take on Richmond in the Grand Final rematch at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.

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The decision on Friday night split public opinion, with many believing it was a fair shoulder-to-shoulder bump by the Adelaide player to the Essendon star.

Douglas has been handed a one-week ban that he can contest at the tribunal on Tuesday if he decides to put up a $10,000 bond.

This is key angle that Douglas' charge was based on by the Match Review Officer: https://t.co/ftyCKHAIrs pic.twitter.com/pyNEeKuOsr

— AFL (@AFL) March 24, 2018

But Christian told the Sunday Herald Sun he believed Douglas clearly had other options instead of bumping Merrett in a collision that ended his game.

“Watching the vision we established there was clear contact to the head from Douglas’ right shoulder to Merrett’s head,’’ Christian said.

“He had a clear alternative to go for the ball and he elected to bump instead.

“There was clear contact to Merrett’s head and then it came down to a question of impact.”

Richard Douglas following the bump on Zach Merrett. Picture: AAP Images

The slow-motion vision watched by Christian and AFL footy boss Steve Hocking made clear the impact was not shoulder-to-shoulder.

Douglas’ left hand then swung up and collected Merrett to the face, which explained the bleeding to his mouth.

The incident was assessed as medium impact to the head with careless conduct.

Merrett was able to run off the ground, with Essendon coach John Worsfold confident he will be able to play next week.

The high grading is mostly reserved for when players are knocked out, with Christian believing the decision clearly deserved more than a low grading

Douglas was shocked when he was reported by field umpire Richard O’Gorman, saying: “What for?” But the fact that Merrett suffered the head knock and could not return for the rest of the game went against the Crow.

Essendon remains confident Merrett will be in consideration for Sunday week’s clash with Fremantle, saying he had pulled up well after the game.

Zach Merrett is helped from the field by trainers. Picture: Getty Images

Coach John Worsfold clarified that Merrett hadn’t suffered concussion in the opening JLT match against Richmond, though he had suffered an incident.

“We are certainly concerned about (Friday night’s incident), but we are confident he will get over that,” Worsfold said on SEN.

“Medically, we have got to be really careful because this is Zach’ first concussion this season. Zach had a couple of incidents in the pre-season that weren’t concussions,

“In Wangaratta he came off early against Richmond, but that wasn’t diagnosed as concussion. We are confident he is going to be well really soon.”

In other news, Essendon’s Brendon Goddard was fined $1000 for making careless contact to umpire Ray Chamberlain.

Zach Merrett reacts after his hit. Picture: AAP Images

Worryingly, it was Merrett’s third head knock in about eight weeks. Merrett, 22, went down early in the first pre-season match just 23 days ago and previously suffered a blow at training.

For a 22-year-old, that is a concern.

The blow rendered Essendon down a midfielder – one of its best – for three and a bit quarters.

Originally published as Adelaide’s Richard Douglas offered a one-match suspension for his bump on Zach Merrett