The Gold Coast Suns have contested Daniel Rioli's $1500 fine for careless contact with an umpire following Friday's game.
Rioli collided with the umpire during the first quarter, while chasing Geelong's Shaun Mannagh. The incident has caused upset among fans, with former player-turned-commentator Nathan Brown suggesting that Mannagh was using the umpire as a screen.
"Absolutely (it's on) Mannagh. Rioli is chasing him," Brown said on the Nine's The Sunday Footy Show.
The incident marks the fifth fine handed to the Suns this season and, according to recent crackdowns on umpire contact, clubs with five or more transgressions in one season can be fined up to $50,000. The only other teams to have been charged with four offences are Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs.
The Suns have submitted a written appeal to the AFL regarding Rioli and the decision is expected to be announced on Wednesday.
This comes as the match review officer announced its Round 14 Sunday findings, showing that two striking offences occurred.
GWS' Finn Callaghan made contact with St Kilda's Marcus Windhager in the third quarter. The incident was graded as a Fixed Financial Sanction and is likely to result in a $1500 fine or a $1000 early plea.
Later on, during the fourth quarter, Saints ruckman Rowan Marshall connected with the Giants' Jesse Hogan, resulting in careless conduct, low impact and body contact. Marshall faces a $2500 fine or $1500 early plea.
Both incidents were listed as first offences.
