Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says it would be "drastically wrong" for ruckman Will Minson to be suspended after making contact with a VFL umpire.
Minson was playing for the Bulldogs' VFL side Footscray when he was sent off in the second term of Sunday's match against North Ballarat at Whitten Oval.
Beveridge, who was at the match before heading to the MCG for the Bulldogs AFL clash with Melbourne, said the incident was "laughable".
Minson appears to gently pat the umpire on the back as he runs back to the centre square after a Bulldogs goal.
"It would stagger me if anything happened in regards to it," he said.
"Over the course of my career I patted umpires on the back, I talked to them with my hand on their shoulder.
"There's always a rapport between players and umpires and I think this one just took it the wrong way.
"Something has gone drastically wrong if it's not thrown out straight away."
The 2013 All Australian has not played in the AFL since round three.
While Footscray powered on to a 146-point VFL win over North Ballarat without Minson, the Western Bulldogs went down to Melbourne by 39 points in their AFL clash later on Sunday.
Beveridge said the combination of the two results could lead to a shake-up in his AFL team to face GWS Giants on Saturday.
"It's really disappointing because Will was terrific up to that point," he said.
"We consider him every week and he'll be a chance to come in next week."
"Lots of boys put their hands up (in the VFL for AFL selection) so we'll see what we do during the week."
One that could miss out is former Giant Tom Boyd.
The 19-year-old key forward was subbed out of the game in the third term with just one hit-out and one handball to his name.
Beveridge said he was "probably due for a bit of a spell".
"He wasn't having his greatest day," he said.
"The important thing for Boydy is he gets as much game time and experience as he can without cooking him.
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