North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson straight-batted questions about the Tristan Xerri incident at his post-game press conference.
Xerri is set to be referred directly to the AFL tribunal for a serious misconduct charge after he appeared to smear his blood on Essendon captain Andy McGrath in the second quarter.
Clarkson said he had not spoken to Xerri about the incident.
“I don't even know anything about it so I'll have a look at it after this I suppose, I don't know what's going on. I'll make no comment until I see it so let's let it unfold and I'll have a look at it later on,” Clarkson said.
There is no fixed sanction for such an action, with Xerri's punishment at the discretion of the AFL tribunal.
Nathan Buckley got a one week suspension for a similar incident 20 years ago, however the former Magpie wiped blood on Ling's guernsey, whereas Xerri applied it to McGrath's face.
With such incidents viewed much more gravely in the modern age as there is less tolerance for unsportsmanlike and unhygienic acts, there are suggestions he could face a ban in the vicinity of four games.
North Melbourne face Carlton, Brisbane, Richmond and GWS in that time.
The Kangaroos have no obvious replacement for arguably their best player and one of the best rucks in the league.
Ruck Taylor Goad is sidelined with an ankle injury for the next fortnight, with Callum Coleman-Jones the likely Xerri replacement.
Coleman-Jones played as the relieving ruck on Saturday night, but was beaten by Peter Wright in his first game of the season.
Young key forward Cooper Trembath has also spent time as a secondary ruck in the first fortnight before Coleman-Jones came into the team, and could lend assistance.
VFL-listed James Tarrant was North Melbourne's primary ruck in the Roos' VFL match against Essendon, with Wil Dawson and Jack Darling also spending limited time in the role.
Xerri had 11 hitouts, eight clearances, 15 disposals and one mark on Saturday night, compared to Essendon ruck Lachie Blakiston's 18 hitouts, three clearances, 12 disposals and five marks.
