North Melbourne defender Luke McDonald may nervously await the Match Review Officer's findings from Sunday's draw between the Kangaroos and Lions due to a collision with Brisbane midfielder Jarrod Berry.

The incident in question occurred in the opening quarter of the match, with the pair of players clashing near a marking contest as McDonald ran toward the ball.

Berry turned away from the ball as teammate Levi Ascroft took possession, with his blind turn coming as McDonald ran into his area. McDonald and Berry collided on the wing, with both players left on the ground and in need of medical treatment. 

McDonald eventually rose to his feet while Berry remained on the turf holding his head, with the Lions midfielder eventually making his way to the interchange for further assessment.

Berry made his way down to the Lions' rooms and would subsequently be ruled out of returning to the game, while McDonald underwent treatment as blood poured from his head before he eventually returned to the action.

The incident is likely to earn the attention of the MRO, but whether a charge is handed down remains to be seen.

If the collision is deemed as a football act and incidental from McDonald, with the incident occurring due to circumstances outside the control of the former Roos captain, then the MRO won't see the matter worthy of a reportable offence against McDonald.

On the other hand, if McDonald's actions are seen as careless, then a rough conduct charge would likely lead to a suspension for the Kangaroos defender given Berry's concussion.

The contact grading would be listed as 'high', while the impact would be 'severe', leading to a three-game suspension for McDonald if the conduct is deemed as 'careless'.

 2025-05-11T05:20:00Z 
GWS WON BY 4 POINTS
GMHBA Stadium
GEEL   
101
FT
105
   GWS

A penalty of that length would mean North Melbourne would be without their veteran backman for upcoming matches against Richmond, Collingwood and West Coast.

McDonald wouldn't be free to play until Round 14 against Fremantle, with the Kangaroos scheduled for a bye between their matches with the Magpies and Eagles.

The MRO's findings from Sunday's matches will be handed down on Monday evening.