Port Adelaide star Hamish Hartlett's brutal bump which knocked out Gold Coast's Seb Tape is fair and within the spirit of AFL rules, Power coach Ken Hinkley says.
Hartlett faces match review panel scrutiny for his heavy hit during Port's 16.17 (113) to 14.12 (96) win against the Suns.
But the key midfielder's season may already be over after suffering a dislocated shoulder in Saturday's comeback victory at AAMI Stadium.
Despite Port being on the verge of their first finals campaign since 2007, coach Hinkley says he won't take any risk with Hartlett, who has already twice had shoulders reconstructed.
"With a few games to go, we will make a really calculated decision on the future for Hamish," Hinkley said.
Hartlett's season however may rest not in medical hands but with the AFL after his crunching shepherd which concussed Tape in the second quarter.
The Power on-baller caught an unsuspecting Tape with a bump which instantly knocked the Gold Coast player out.
Hartlett indicated a head clash but replays showed high contact with his left shoulder - the same body joint he dislocated in the last quarter.
Hartlett was hurt as Port came from nine points down at three quarter-time to bank their 12th win of the season, booting six goals to two in the last quarter to over-run the Suns.
The Power retain eighth spot, two wins clear of ninth-placed Carlton, who they play in the final round - but they appear long odds to retain Hartlett for the rest of their season.
But Hinkley said the 23-year-old shouldn't be suspended.
"Not that long ago, we wouldn't be talking about Hamish's bump, there is no doubt about that," Hinkley said.
"In football as we know it, it was a pretty fair bump.
"It's one of our players, I don't want him in any trouble ... but I also want to make sure that we can actually still play a physical game of football.
"And, look, accidents will happen. And that is clearly what that was today."
Hinkley said "in the spirit of the game, I think he (Tape) was there to be shepherded".
Tape had his neck placed in a brace by medicos before being stretchered from the field on a motorised cart.
