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Essendon midfielder Sam Durham expected to escape suspension for Noah Answerth late hit

A Brisbane defender laid flat on the ground but an outcome remains unclear because of a ‘spin-the-wheel gameshow’.

Sam Durham 'going to get looked at' for Noah Answerth hit

Essendon midfielder Sam Durham expected to escape suspension for Noah Answerth late hit

A Brisbane defender laid flat on the ground but an outcome remains unclear because of a ‘spin-the-wheel gameshow’.

Essendon midfielder Sam Durham is expected to escape suspension for a late hit on Brisbane’s Noah Answerth during the dying stages of his side’s 18-ponit AFL defeat on Friday night.

Durham leaped in Answerth’s direction and braced for contact when he realised the ball was leaving the area, collecting the Brisbane defender in the upper back region with a heavy hit.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Sam Durham ‘going to get looked at’ for Noah Answerth hit.

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Importantly, Durham didn’t make contact with Answerth’s head, but the collision did leave him flat on the ground for an extended moment.

Brisbane say Answerth pulled up fine from the incident, but it will still be scrutinised by the AFL’s match review officer.

Speaking on Channel 7’s post-match coverage, 7NEWS Melbourne’s Mitch Cleary said Durham shouldn’t have anything major to worry about — but it will serve as a good reminder to players.

“This happened late. I don’t think there’s a lot to worry about when it comes to the MRO for this hit on Noah Answerth. Answerth is quite sore (from) it,” Cleary said.

“We actually haven’t seen the old-fashioned charging sanction from the MRO for a while.

“I think Durham should be OK, but it is just one to keep an eye on, that players approaching contests late, charging still is in the laws of the game when it comes to the tribunal.”

Noah Answerth went down after this hit from Sam Durham.
Noah Answerth went down after this hit from Sam Durham. Credit: Channel 7

Nick Riewoldt said it will still be assessed regardless.

“That will get looked at for sure,” he said.

“Any time you leave the ground now as a player, and you tuck, it’s going to get looked at, it’s going to come under scrutiny.”

Riewoldt has been widely critical of AFL operations this year, particularly the MRO, and said trying to work out the judicial system was like entering a raffle.

“Mate, are you kidding? It’s a spin-the-wheel gameshow — AFL MRO, spin the wheel, see where it lands,” Riewoldt said, before adding he thinks Durham will cop a fine.

Cleary added: “It’s body contact, so it would need to be serious impact to warrant a suspension.”

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