Geelong forward Tom Hawkins has been referred straight to the AFL Tribunal after making intentional contact with an umpire during the Cats' 61-point win over GWS at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night.
The incident occurred late in the second quarter, after Hawkins gave away a free kick and a 50m penalty for a late hit on Giants defender Nick Haynes.
Hawkins was fined $2000 for the rough conduct on Haynes.
Nick Haynes came from the ground with a suspected cork after this collision with Tom Hawkins.
Update thanks to @MLC_Australia.#AFLCatsGiants pic.twitter.com/swfF3N6RdP
— AFL (@AFL) May 4, 2018
Following his side's win, Hawkins was interviewed by Matthew Richardson during Channel 7's coverage, and told Richardson he thought it was the hand of an opposition player.
“In the contest I was obviously late to the ball, paid the free kick and 50m against me,” Hawkins said.
“I thought initially it was an opposition’s hand, so didn’t mean to make any contact with him.
“I apologised to him after. It was obviously accidental.”
The other charge from the night saw Adam Tomlinson hit with a $2000 sanction for rough conduct on Jed Bews.
