The majority of AFL fans who took to social media after Alex Rance brushed his hand across Hawthorn player Paul Puopolo’s face were convinced the star Richmond defender was guilty of eye gouging – but they are equally certain he’ll get away with his alleged offence.
The Match Review Officer is certain to look at the incident from the second quarter of the Tigers’ 31-point win over the Hawks in Thursday’s qualifying final at the MCG.
Puopolo nailed Rance in a heavy tackle and applied pressure to the Tigers star’s face with his elbow as he lay on top of him.
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Replays show Rance then made contact with Puopolo’s face with his left hand in an apparent attempt to free himself, but the footage does not conclusively prove his fingers made contact with Puopolo’s eyes.
Alex Rance and Paul Puopolo were involved in an incident in the second quarter.#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/xLD7raUl3f
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) September 6, 2018
Carlton’s Jed Lamb copped a one-week ban for eye gouging earlier in the season but skeptical fans were quick to predict the Tigers golden boy will escape any punishment over the alleged incident.
Alex Rance could stab someone to death on the footy field and dispose of the body into the crowd and still get away with it, you watch him get away with the eye gouge on Puopolo #AFLTigersHawks
— Matthew Halligan (@Halligan_96) September 6, 2018
Eye gouging, let the trial by media begin. Oh it’s Alex Rance? Nevermind....
— Justin Green (@JGreenEsquire) September 6, 2018
Jed Lamb got weeks for his eye gouge.
— Jamie Smith (@X7Smith) September 6, 2018
Alex Rance will get 0.
Clear eye gouging by Alex Rance on Paul Puopolo. Will he face any action for it? Unlikely... #AFLTigersHawks #AFLFinals
— ⚫⚪ Bronxy ⚪⚫ (@BenBronx) September 6, 2018
Alex Rance just eye gouged Puopolo and none of the media will have the guts to call him out. Disgrace and a dog act by a bloke seemingly highly regarded #AFLTigersHawks
— Steven Paice (@stevenpaice) September 6, 2018
Did Alex Rance just eye gouge Puopolo? #AFLTigersHawks
— liam kelly (@liamkelly05) September 6, 2018
