Collingwood forward Brody Mihocek has avoided suspension after pushing Richmond defender Nick Vlastuin into a marking contest, with the Match Review Officer (MRO) handing down a fine.
Mihocek was charged with rough conduct, which the MRO graded the incident as careless conduct, low impact and body contact, resulting in a $2,500 fee ($1,500 guilty plea).
The Tigers veteran was awarded a free kick and managed to play out the remainder of the game after the second quarter.
However, Mihocek can deem himself fortunate that Vlastuin didn't suffer a serious injury, as the league has previously taken a stance against incidents like this.
Mihocek pushes Vlastuin into the pack of oncoming players but is it a fine or even suspension? He does look back at the ball afterwards but the AFL would have to believe he could reasonably foresee that Vlastuin might be injured with his push https://t.co/7NkhbYWaqg pic.twitter.com/KpabOuUlrR
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) July 28, 2025
Earlier in the year, Richmond forward Rhyan Mansell was sidelined for three matches after he nudged St Kilda youngster Liam O'Connell into oncoming traffic.
As a result of the collision, O'Connell entered concussion protocols and missed the next week's fixture.
Prized Pick 1 Sam Lalor was the victim of a push from West Coast defender Reuben Ginbey, which began the conversation about a duty of care in marking contests.
Ginbey got off, but Lalor's jaw was broken in the off-season.
Melbourne's Jake Melksham also escaped without any punishment for his bump in a marking contest of Eagles champion Jeremy McGovern.
McGovern was concussed and medically retired after a string of head knocks throughout his career.
But the incident caused the MRO to take a deeper look into these types of actions, and whether the offender can produce a greater duty of care.
