AFL finals hopes hang in MRP balance

Tom Hawkins, Zac Dawson and Levi Greenwood are among the AFL players keenly awaiting Monday’s match review panel findings.

North Melbourne’s Greenwood is the only one of that trio to be reported, but he is arguably the least likely to be suspended.

The midfielder had his number taken on Saturday night following an awkward collision with Essendon’s Mark Baguley.

Baguley slid in to pick up the ball, but clattered into Greenwood’s legs.

Kangaroos coach Brad Scott felt the resultant free kick should have gone Greenwood’s way.

“Players have coaches and this is why umpires have coaches, I imagine,” Scott said.

“I thought if you slid in and made contact with someone below the knees, it was against you, not for you.”

Greenwood has been one of North’s best this season and would be sorely missed in Friday night’s semi-final against Geelong.

Cats spearhead Tom Hawkins had a quiet night against Hawthorn, but would likewise be a major omission from the sudden-death fixture at the MCG.

Hawkins’ jumper punch on Ben Stratton in last Friday night’s qualifying final will be looked at by the panel.

His good record, coupled with the league’s track record on jumper punches, suggests a reprimand is the most likely outcome.

“There’s definitely a jab there to the jaw,” chairman of the AFL Coaches Association John Worsfold said on Seven Network’s AFL Game Day.

“Hawkins will pay a price. The biggest part will be losing his six-year good behaviour (discount).”

Dawson’s clumsy swinging arm to Sydney star Lance Franklin’s head should not warrant a ban, but the Fremantle key defender has zero wriggle room due to a round-13 indiscretion.

Dawson was burdened with 97.5 carryover points when he pleaded guilty to kneeing Jack Riewoldt earlier this year.

It means even the most minor reprimand would be bumped up to a one-week suspension.

With Luke McPharlin and Michael Johnson both sidelined with injury, the Dockers can ill afford to lose Dawson for Saturday’s home semi-final.

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