Tribunal expert Bruce Matthews says Brent Harvey should miss the preliminary final

UNDER the current rules it is hard to see Brent Harvey lining up for North Melbourne in the preliminary final, Bruce Matthews says.

Round 10: Geelong v North Melbourne

AS much as it’s unpalatable and seemingly unfair, it is difficult to see how North Melbourne’s Brent Harvey can avoid being suspended for this week’s preliminary final.

Everyone by now should understand the stricter bump rule — if you choose to bump and make forceful head contact, even accidentally, then you’re responsible for the consequences.

LET BOOMER PLAY: ARCHER

KANGAROOS ESCAPE CATS COMEBACK

Harvey chose to jump and bump Joel Selwood when the ball wasn’t even in the vicinity. Not a wise decision.

Yes, you could argue the head clash wasn’t forceful, but a key opposition leader and playmaker was forced off the ground with blood streaming from an eyebrow cut. Not a good look.

Geelong’s compulsory medical report to the AFL match review panel will state how Selwood had to be stitched up during the half-time break. Not a good read.

Even with the lowest rough conduct gradings of negligent conduct with low impact, Harvey attracts 125 demerit points. With a clean record, he pleads guilty and escapes with a reprimand.

Alas, he’s lumbered with 41 carry-over points and a 10 per cent bad record loading from the three-game suspension from his Round 21 misconduct offence.

The 25 per cent discount for an early guilty plead would still leave him with 137 points and an automatic one-match ban. Only a successful tribunal challenge to, perhaps, question Selwood’s eyebrow scar tissue would allow him to play against the Swans.

You have to feel for the popular Kangaroo, but he had been warned.

* Bruce Matthews has been covering the VFL/AFL tribunal for more than 20 years.

Originally published as Tribunal expert Bruce Matthews says Brent Harvey should miss the preliminary final