North Melbourne ruckman Tristan Xerri is set to be sent straight to the tribunal and is in danger of a suspension after appearing to smear blood on the face of Essendon skipper Andrew McGrath in the Kangaroosโ two-goal victory on Saturday night.
Northโs first win over the Bombers since 2016 was marred by an ugly incident involving their inspirational giant, who is facing a serious misconduct charge when the match review officer Michael Christian hands down his findings on Sunday.
Xerri was scuffling with McGrath when he touched his bloodied nose then appeared to wipe his hand on the Bomberโs face.
The bizarre act ensured the immediate spotlight will not be on Bombers coach Brad Scott, whose sideโs improved performance was not enough to avoid a 16th consecutive defeat.
Former Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley was in 2002 suspended for a game for smearing blood on the guernsey of Geelong opponent Cameron Ling in a landmark case. Any suspension would result in Xerri missing a winnable marquee Good Friday match against Carlton.
Under tribunal guidelines, Christian has the power to refer serious acts of misconduct directly to the tribunal.
Misconduct covers any act which would be โreasonably regarded as unacceptable or unsportsmanlike or where it had the effect or potential to prejudice the reputation of any person, club or the AFL or to bring the game of football into disreputeโ, the tribunal guidelines say.
Respected sports physician Dr Peter Larkins and former St Kilda star Leigh Montagna are among those who have called for Xerri to be suspended.
โThis needs definitive AFL response โ cannot have this go without games sanction,โ Larkins wrote on X.
Xerriโs moment of madness came minutes after he had given away a 100-metre penalty for remonstrating with the umpire over a ruck infringement free kick and being slow to return the ball to Lachlan Blakiston. He was then felled after being shoved by McGrath and crashing into an oncoming Archie Roberts.
Amid the mayhem, Xerri, who suffered a blood nose from the incident, was left unguarded in Northโs forward 50 as he recovered from the hit. He marked and goaled from a turnover by the Bombers and it was from the push and shove after this goal where Xerri made contact with McGrath.
โThis is the issue here โ heโs telling McGrath heโs got a blood nose, and thatโs what you donโt want to see,โ Lyon said of Xerriโs actions after reviewing a replay of the incident.
โThatโs not what you want to see in the game.โ
