AFL finals 2019: Nic Naitanui has his hair pulled by Zach Merrett, escapes penalty over retaliation

A furious Nic Naitanui saw red when Zach Merrett pulled at his dreadlocked hair, ragdolling the Bomber into the fence and earning the attention of the MRO during last night’s Elimination Final. The Eagles have just learned his penalty.

West Coast is breathing a sigh of relief after ruckman Nic Naitanui escaped suspension for slamming Bomber Zach Merrett into a fence during last night’s Elimination Final.

The towering ruckman is free to play in next week’s semi-final against either Geelong or Collingwood after being offered a $1000 fine for an early guilty plea for rough conduct.

Merrett yanked at Naitanui’s dreadlocked hair, incensing the giant Eagle, but he too escaped suspension and can play in round 1, 2019, if he accepts a $1000 fine for misconduct.

MORE NEWS

Which finalist has the best bottom six?

Game breakers: Your club’s finals X-factor

Merrett’s teammates remonstrated with Naitanui during the third-quarter scuffle, sparking a melee.

Naitanui and Merrett were both reported as match review officer Michael Christian studied the vision at the new ARC (AFL Review Centre).

Nic Nat was NOT HAPPY 😳

(watch #AFLFinals on 7) pic.twitter.com/Fshst24xp1

— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 5, 2019

A free kick was paid against the Eagles after Elliot Yeo threw Bombers midfielder Dylan Shiel to the ground.

AFL great Garry Lyon said the action was a bad look.

“Others are saying if that’s James Sicily, if that’s Shane Mumford then this would be looked at differently. I’m not sure that’s the case,” he said on SEN.

“I’m going hard because I didn’t like the look. I didn’t like the action.”

Also during the incident, a spectator threw a drink in Merrett’s direction, with former Essendon defender Brendon Goddard calling for the fan to be banned for life.

@AFL @OptusStadium throw the scum bag @WestCoastEagles supporter out of the game and ban him for life for throwing his drink over Zac Merrett. Absolute disgrace.

— Brendon Goddard (@BrendonGoddard9) September 5, 2019

Essendon players wrestle with Nic Naitanui after the Eagles star pushed Zach Merrett into the fence. Picture: Getty Images

Nic Nat spent the rest of his night taking out his anger on the Bombers, palming tap after tap into midfielder’s hands and roaming Perth Stadium with the sort of presence every other player on the ground could only dream about.

After the match, Naitanui and Merrett were seen shaking hands and having a laugh.

Naitanui played less than 60 per cent of the first half and yet the Eagles slotted four goals from centre bounces with their beloved big man transforming his team’s entire dynamic.

Nic Nat is a moments player, and that’s what finals are all about.

By halftime he’d attended 15 ruck contests, winning 11 hit-outs, including four to advantage. It was eye-popping influence.

Stream every match of the 2019 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final Live & On-Demand on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming now >

Originally published as AFL finals 2019: Nic Naitanui has his hair pulled by Zach Merrett, escapes penalty over retaliation