Mark Baguley must rely on video evidence to escape penalty from the AFL match review panel

ESSENDON’S Mark Baguley could have a match-day report thrown out on Monday if video shows he avoided contact to Michael Barlow’s head.

Bomber Mark Baguley in the thick of the action. Picture: Getty

ESSENDON’S Mark Baguley could have a match-day report thrown out if video shows he avoided contact to Michael Barlow’s head.

Slow-motion footage of the incident saw Baguley colliding heavily with Barlow as the Fremantle midfielder went back with the flight of the ball.

But the dependable Bombers defender may have made only contact with Baguley’s upper chest and neck rather than head.

His availability for Essendon is critical given Friday’s opponent North Melbourne has a fleet of small forwards which cut Richmond to ribbons on Saturday.

Melbourne midfielder Bernie Vince. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Melbourne tagger Bernie Vince will also come under scrutiny for headhigh contact into Sydney’s Tom Mitchell.

Mitchell got up and took his free kick but Vince cannoned into a player with his head over the ball — the textbook definition for rough conduct.

If the incident is assessed as careless and low impact he could still receive a $1500 fine.

If the incident was careless and medium-level impact he would receive a two-week suspension and could accept a single match with a guilty plea.

The Demons take on Hawthorn next week, with Lynden Dunn a chance to be penalised for dropping his knees into Adam Goodes late in the game.

Originally published as Mark Baguley must rely on video evidence to escape penalty from the AFL match review panel