Former Hawthorn hardman Dermott Brereton believes Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins is in danger of being suspended for his jumper punch on Friday night.
Hawkins remonstrated with Hawks defender Ben Stratton during the AFL qualifying final at the MCG in an incident the match review panel could scrutinise on Monday.
Hawkins' good record and lack of carryover points, coupled with the panel's track record on jumper punches, suggests a ban is unlikely.
But Brereton, who made regular trips to the tribunal in his 211-game career, believes Hawkins could easily miss next weekend's sudden-death semi-final.
"The slow-mo (replay) shows the jaw really rattle," he told radio station SEN on Saturday.
"It moved his jaw.
"It was high, behind play and it was sufficient force.
"He's in trouble."
The blow had no discernible effect on Stratton, who trotted to the backline and played the game out without any issue.
Brereton praised Stratton for not milking the contact, adding that it could have saved Hawkins' season.
"He did the right thing Ben Stratton. If he goes down, Tom's already booking his holiday," Brereton said.
"But he stood up to it. So they can argue it was insufficient force."
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