Essendon's Mark Baguley sledged Carlton's Jed Lamb on Saturday about his father, who was murdered when Lamb was six years of age.
That sledge ignited the melee between the two at three-quarter-time, which saw Lamb receive a $1500 fine from the MRO for striking his Essendon opponent.
The Herald Sun believe Lamb notified Carlton officials about Baguley's insensitive sledge, and told the club he repeatedly told Baguley not to speak about his father.
Baguley has reported told Essendon club officials he wasn't aware of Lamb's father's passing, and tried to apologise at three quarter time.
"I’m aware of an issue from Saturday’s game," Carlton CEO Cain Little told the Herald Sun on Tuesday.
Lamb is one of eight children, and spoke to the Herald Sun about his father's passing at length at the impact it had on his life when he was first drafted.
