Western Bulldogs defender Liam Jones will hope his dangerous tackle on GWS forward Aaron Cadman doesn't result in being suspended for the first final of his 14-season, 199-game AFL career.
Jones was penalised for the tackle, which appears certain to come under scrutiny from the match review officer, just 18 seconds into Sunday's 37-point win over the Giants at Ballarat's Mars Stadium.
When Cadman took possession inside 50, Jones pinned his right arm and drove him into the ground, slamming the forward's head on the turf.
Cadman's teammates immediately rushed in to remonstrate with Jones, while the forward was given a free kick for a dangerous tackle.
Cadman kicked a goal from the free kick and was able to remain on the ground.
If Jones is suspended it would rule him out of, at minimum, the sixth-placed Bulldogs' elimination final against Hawthorn.
"I hope not because it's his first final of his career," fellow defender Rory Lobb told AAP.
"So hopefully he's all right.
"Cadman's stayed out there, so hopefully that helps in his case."
Jones, 33, is a crucial part of the Bulldogs' backline and would be a massive loss if unavailable for a crunch game, which was due to be his 200th AFL match.
He has played 104 games at the Bulldogs across two stints, either side of 95 games for Carlton. He sat out the 2022 season because he did not want to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
Lobb, who shifted down back with aplomb when Jones was sidelined with a knee injury, backed dropped defender Buku Khamis to replace the veteran if required.
"I hope I have him (Jones) next to me, I'm always more comfortable with him down there," he said.
"But Buku Khamis was a bit stiff to go out on the weekend, so I'm sure if it happens, Buku's ready to go."
Coach Luke Beveridge wouldn't be drawn on the incident.
"I haven't watched the replay, so I'm not sure how it measures up to the other tackles that are similar," he said.
"So it's difficult for me to comment."
There were no suspensions to come out of Saturday's games.
Essendon defender Jake Kelly received a $1250 fine for misconduct. Kelly kicked out at Eric Hipwood after the Brisbane forward tried to take a hanger over him.
Hawthorn livewire Jack Ginnivan can accept a $1250 fine for tripping North Melbourne young gun George Wardlaw.
North Melbourne ruckman Tristan Xerri was fined $1875 for striking Hawthorn's Lloyd Meek.
Richmond's Rhyan Mansell received a $1250 fine for striking Gold Coast's Wil Powell.
