Brisbane Lions star Jarrod Berry will come under scrutiny for a “crude” hit during the Lions’ narrow win over North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.
In a hard-fought tussle, the Lions eventually emerged 26-point victors, but it has come at a cost with veteran Dayne Zorko injured and Berry facing a nervous wait.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Berry collects Stephens with a high shot
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Berry collected Dylan Stephens with a high shot early in the second quarter after the Kangaroo had taken mark on his defensive 50.
It appeared as though Berry was trying to execute a spoil, but got it all wrong and made contact with the side of Stephens’ head.
Stephens was able to get to his feet and take his kick, which will help Berry when it comes to the match review officer’s findings.
“That was a crude hit from Berry — thankfully Stephens gets to his feet,” Leigh Montagna said on Fox Footy.
Fellow commentator Jordan Lewis added: “I think any time a player gets hit in the head, whether it be from a bump or in this case a swinging arm … it will certainly get looked at.
“I think he might be lucky that Stephens was able to get up and continued to play, which certainly comes into calculations.”
Meanwhile, free agent Zac Bailey was the star of the show with two goals and 21 possessions in a brilliant performance, while Lachie Neale and Hugh McCluggage (on limited minutes) were prolific through the midfield.
But veteran Zorko finished the game on the bench after suffering a calf issue in the first quarter and then getting iced up in the second term.
Fellow veteran Lincoln McCarthy had the highlight of the afternoon with a goal of the year contender.
While the Lions come away with the win, the Roos will be buoyed by their effort after pushing the two-time reigning premiers all the way.
They closed to within nine points late in the final term, but Harry Sheezel missed a gettable chance late on that would have closed the gap to within a kick.
The Lions then kicked two goals in two minutes to put the match to bed.
Rising star Cooper Trembath continued his bright start with teo goals in another eye-catching performance, while Luke Davis-Uniacke, Sheezel and Luke Parker were all good contributors.
In blustery conditions, Brisbane kicked the first two goals and the signs were bleak early for North.
Co-captain Harris Andrews, recalled for this game, was prominent early with his intercept marking.
But after a strong mark and goal from Trembath, the Kangaroos rallied with the next four goals and took a 12-point lead into quarter-time.
Jy Simpkin and Will Ashcroft were clashing repeatedly as the former North captain paid the two-time Norm Smith medallist close attention.
The problem for North was that while the older Ashcroft was being tagged, that freed up Neale.
Veteran defender Zorko gave away a dumb 50m penalty at the end of the term, hitting Paul Curtis in the midriff and gifting him a goal.
While Zorko will come under match review scrutiny, it is probably irrelevant because he limped off in the second quarter with a game-ending calf injury.
The Lions copped “angry grand-dad”, with coach Chris Fagan animated at the break.
An even second term had North four points ahead at the main break, before the Lions threatened to kick clear.
Feasting on Kangaroo turnovers, Brisbane kicked five goals in the third quarter.
The damage would have been much worse if not for Luke Parker, who took a succession of defensive marks.
Brisbane broke out to a 23-point lead before Trembath took a massive contender for mark of the year, soaring over the pack in the goal square, in the process hurting his leg.
His second goal kept the game tight, with the Lions 16 points up at the last change.
Adding to the game highlights, McCarthy bounced through a superb goal from the boundary line early in the final quarter.
– With AAP
