Before Geelong and GWS try to pull off preliminary final breakthroughs, they need big wins at the AFL tribunal.
While nothing was confirmed by Sunday night, the Cats are certain to challenge Tom Hawkins’ one-game striking ban.
Likewise, the Giants will try to overturn Toby Greene’s one-match suspension for what the AFL terms “making unreasonable or unnecessary contact to the eye region” of Brisbane midfielder Lachie Neale.
While the two cases could be heard on Monday night, the Greene hearing could go ahead on Tuesday.
Geelong’s chances of beating Richmond in the Friday night preliminary final at the MCG will take a major hit if Hawkins doesn’t play.
When he sprayed 0.4 in the qualifying final against Collingwood, the Cats lost by ten points.
When Hawkins kicked 4.1 last Friday night in the semi-final win over West Coast, they won by 20.
Geelong are 0-3 in preliminary finals since their 2011 premiership.
Likewise, this is the Giants’ third prelim in four years and the expansion club is yet to reach a grand final.
They play Collingwood in a Saturday twilight match at the MCG and, as with the Cats, they will start underdogs.
Greene was massive for GWS on Saturday night in the epic semi-final win over Brisbane at the Gabba.
But he also maintained his reputation for match review trouble.
He will be back at the tribunal only a week after his direct referral on a misconduct charge.
It also involved several incidents where he made contact with the face of Western Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli.
Greene pleaded guilty at the tribunal last Monday and was fined $7500.
Match reviewer Michael Christian said the incident with Neale was judged on its merits and there was no connection with last week’s charge.
© AAP
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