It wouldn't have made a difference to the result, but Melbourne certainly didn't need decisions like this going against them in Saturday's preliminary final against West Coast.
With the Eagles more than 50 points in front part way through the second quarter, star Jeremy McGovern lashed out at Dees skipper Jack Viney with an open hand.
McGovern caught Viney in the throat, metres away from umpire Matthew Nichols.
Check out the video below.
The All Australian defender may have got away with one after the umpire opted not to reverse the 50-metre penalty he'd already paid against Viney.
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"He is unbelievably lucky not to have that reversed," Luke Darcy said in commentary.
"He's lucky that didn't slip a little higher and he might find himself with something to think about during the week."
Some fans tuning in at home shared that opinion.
Sorry but if you're one metre away and witness a strike to the throat and you don't reverse the free kick, you're umpiring your last game for the season #AFLEaglesDees
— Zach Schloeffel (@schleff63) September 22, 2018
McGovern just punched Viney in the throat and didn’t give away a free? Lol #AFLEaglesDees
— Dylan (@_DylanM) September 22, 2018
McGovern looks OK. Should just miss the one week you’d think.#AFLEaglesDees
— Richard Hinds (@rdhinds) September 22, 2018
Jordan Lewis gave away a free kick for a 'punch' to the gut but McGovern punches Viney in the throat and no free? He might be missing a grand final because of that. #AFLEaglesDees
— Jake Bruni (@JBruni12) September 22, 2018
Apparently you can throat punch players in front of an umpire... oh it’s in Perth! #AFLEaglesDees
— Quonny (@AQuon_4) September 22, 2018
It seems unlikely that McGovern will have a case to answer ahead of next Saturday's grand final against Collingwood, though match review officer Michael Christian may well send a fine his way.
West Coast will head to Melbourne full of confidence after a 66-point demolition job of a red-hot Melbourne.
