AFL tribunal worries for Johnson, Baker
Geelong forward Steve Johnson and St Kilda backman Steven Baker face anxious waits on Monday as the AFL match review panel assesses their running battle at the MCG on Friday night.
Johnson and Baker will come under scrutiny for several incidents during the grand final rematch at the MCG, which could result in suspensions imposed on both players.
Johnson faces a suspension for lashing his elbow back into Baker's face during the second quarter, which left the Saint with a cut eye which was badly swollen after the game.
Baker required stitches but played in the second half as the Saints won by 24 points.
Johnson's case will not be helped by the fact he has 93.75 carry-over points on his record for tripping Port Adelaide's Travis Boak earlier this season, and the timing.
Last week the match review panel was heavily criticised for not charging Carlton skipper Chris Judd despite him throwing his elbow back at Fremantle counterpart Matthew Pavlich, which left the Docker with a cut across his cheek.
The panel deemed Judd's contact did not constitute a reportable offence.
Baker also has his concerns, as he at least twice fired jabs into Johnson in the first quarter - one to the jaw and one to the midriff - and was seen knocking Johnson's hand, which was injured earlier in the game.
Johnson suffered a suspected broken hand and will be assessed on Monday.
Baker's actions raise the question of what is permitted in the spirit of the game, as the panel has the right to charge him with misconduct.
The debate was raised earlier this year when North Melbourne's Scott Thompson was continually niggling Western Bulldogs forward Barry Hall in round nine.
On that occasion Thompson escaped suspension, as did Hall, who grabbed the North defender in a headlock in retaliation to being knocked over while tying his bootlaces.
Baker would also incur extra loading on any penalty, as he was suspended for seven games for engaging in rough conduct on Fremantle's Jeff Farmer late in the 2007 season.
At this stage Baker is due to play his 200th game in round 22.
Baker was one of St Kilda's best in last year's grand final when he played on Johnson and ensured the 2007 Norm Smith medallist had no impact on the game although the Cats won.
Geelong also have a concern over key forward Cameron Mooney, who is likely to come under scrutiny for jabbing a punch into the jaw of opponent Jason Blake.
Mooney also has a bad record with the tribunal, which will not help him if the panel rules his actions constituted a strike.
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