AFL 2021: Injuries and suspensions from Round 2

The match review officer has ruled on Gary Rohan’s hit on Lachie Neale. Was the Brownlow medallist’s three week estimate on the mark?

Gary Rohan will miss the next two matches with suspension. Picture: Getty Images

Gary Rohan’s off-the-ball retaliation hit on Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale has cost the Geelong forward two weeks.

The fallout from Friday night’s spiteful encounter at GMHBA Stadium continued at the match review panel with Rohan offered a two-week suspension for the incident which was assessed as intentional conduct, medium impact and high contact.

Geelong coach Chris Scott accused Neale of starting the fight following the Cats controversial one-point victory.

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Gary Rohan will miss the next two matches with suspension. Picture: Getty Images

“I thought Neale struck Gary on the chest and then Gary struck him on the chest,” Scott said.

Pressed on if he thought Neale started the altercation, Scott said: “He did. The vision is clear.

“But I’m certainly not saying he did the wrong thing. That’s footy.

“But I’ve had a pretty good look at what Gary did and I’m comfortable with it.”

Match review officer Michael Christian wasn’t as comfortable with the incident in the opening quarter of the game where Neale hit the deck after being collected by Rohan’s swinging arm.

While most of the contact appeared to be high on the shoulder, Neale got up rubbing his jaw and then later baited Rohan about a possible suspension.

The Lions midfield gun held up three fingers to Rohan suggesting he thought the hit was worth three weeks on the sidelines.

Scott and Neale were involved in a war of words at the quarter-time break which resulted in Lions coach Chris Fagan ringing his counterpart after the game to express his disappointment at the Geelong coach’s actions.

In the post-match press conference Scott revealed what was said as he walked to his team’s huddle.

Harris Andrews and Brandon Starcevich got stuck into Rohan after the off-the-ball hit. Picture: Getty Images

“I was walking onto the ground and Lachie Neale just said to me something like — I couldn’t understand exactly what he said — but something about Gary Rohan,” Scott said.

“And I said, ‘I’m happy to have the conversation with you if you like. I’ve seen the vision and I’m comfortable with it.’

Geelong is already dealing with a three-week suspension to superstar Patrick Dangerfield which he was handed after the Round 1 loss to Adelaide.

Brisbane forward Charlie Cameron was fined $2000 after he was charged with striking Geelong’s Shaun Higgins in the second quarter.

The incident was assessed as intentional contact, low impact and body contact.

Originally published as AFL 2021: Injuries and suspensions from Round 2