Essendon spearhead Peter Wright will come under scrutiny for an incident that left Harry Cunningham concussed in the opening stages of the Bombers’ clash against Sydney.
Wright was on a long lead when he crashed into Cunningham, who was going back with the flight to try and intercept.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Melee breaks out after huge hit.
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The Swan appeared to get to the ball a split second ahead of Wright, who turned and braced with his shoulder collecting Cunningham high.
Cunningham was immediately concussed and a melee broke out as players from everywhere converged on Wright.
“This is old school,” Alister Nicholson said in commentary.
The Sydney player was eventually able to get to his feet but left the field on a stretcher and was immediately subbed out.
The incident is looming as a big test case for the match review officer with some similarities between the controversial Brayden Maynard on Angus Brayshw incident last year given it looked like a football act.
That incident lead to a shift in rules with the AFL now saying that type of clash would result in a suspension.
This clash immediately divided commentators and fans, but Channel 7’s Cameron Ling is expecting Wright to cop a lengthy ban.
“It was a huge hit,” Ling said.
“A huge collision. Straight away every on the ground knew Cunningham was in a lot of trouble.
“I don’t think it’s going to matter with what you’re talking about it being a football act and a play on the ball.
“I think the way everything shifted in the off-season following the incident with Brayden Maynard, I don’t think the AFL are going to care if it is a football act or not.
“I think they are going to put the responsibility on Peter Wright and say ‘you turned and bumped and got a player in the head and concussed him so I think he’ll have a big case to answer.’
“I am (expecting several weeks) because of the shift in off-season. I think when you go back to last year and Brayden Maynard got off … I think it’ll be different this time round and he’ll get weeks.”