Wangaratta ruckman Zac Leitch said his second quarter hit which saw Lavington gun Shaun Mannagh stretchered off was an accident.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
IN OTHER NEWS:
- Culcairn stars steady Lions late to grab 26-point win over Holbrook
- Sussan Ley defends 'no-show' at water rally
- Pigeons survive Panthers to book a meeting with Magpies
At the 16-minute mark of the second quarter, Leitch collected the speedster across the jaw with his arm.
Mannagh appeared to be knocked out before he hit the ground at Wodonga's Birallee Park.
Play was soon halted when a Lavington trainer alerted the umpires.
Mannagh took no further part in the game and there were no reports from the umpires.
"Me and Shaun get along quite well, just completely accidental, went to go for the ball and he's come into my arm," Leitch said after the team booked a berth into the grand final with a 34-point win.
(I) went to go for the ball and he's come into my arm. There was no malice in it, it was an accident.
- Zac Leitch
"There was no malice in it, it was an accident.
"I saw him after the game and shook his hand, had a bit of a chat, he's all good."
Leitch went to Mannagh immediately after the tackle and tried to help his unconscious opponent, as best he could.
"I can't remember the incident, I can piece together little bits of the second half (while I was off the ground), but not much," Mannagh said.
"(My) jaw's a bit sore, nothing that a bit of Panadol won't fix, I'll be right (for next week)."
He will need a pass a concussion test to be available for Sunday's preliminary final against Myrtleford.
Mannagh is considered a strong chance for next Monday's Morris Medal, despite missing five games on VFL duties with Richmond.
The incident was captured on video. The match review panel only looks at incidents if requested by a club or umpires. The deadline for a review is midday today.
"If we think it's outside the rules, we'll have a look at it," coach Simon Curtis said.
