A fiery encounter between two of the code's oldest clubs has resulted in multiple fans, after the Match Review Officer assessed a variety of incidents.

Veteran Blues midfielders Patrick Cripps and George Hewett, along with promising young Bomber Sullivan Robey were fined $1500 each for careless contact with an umpire, and all three can see that sanction decreased to $1000 each with an early guilty plea.

Carlton's serial pest Ben Ainsworth and Essendon big man Lachlan Blakiston were both charged for their roles in instigating melees in the spiteful clash.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 05: Ben Ainsworth of the Blues celebrates a goal during the opening round AFL match between Sydney Swans and Carlton Blues at SCG, on March 05, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 05: Ben Ainsworth of the Blues celebrates a goal during the opening round AFL match between Sydney Swans and Carlton Blues at SCG, on March 05, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Another Essendon youngster, and member of Robey's draft class in Jacob Farrow was fined $1500 for 'other' misconduct for an incident involving Carlton's Brodie Kemp.

Farrow pushed Kemp into the fence in the final quarter, resulting in a goal from the ensuing free kick - a major moment in a game decided by less than a straight kick. The MRO has compounded Farrow's woes, by hitting his hip pocket. 

Like his contemporaries, Farrow can see his sanction reduced with an early guilty plea.

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