The Daily Observer London Desk: Reporter- Judith Benjamin
Lincoln McCarthy could be in hot water with the match review panel after he appeared to punch Richmond rival Kamdyn McIntosh, although the umpires missed the incident.
Tempers flared in the first quarter of the mammoth contest at the Gabba on Thursday, when the two players came together to contest an aerial ball in the Lions’ forward 50.
Neither player got a hold of the ball but squared up after a free kick was paid to the hosts. As they came together, McCarthy landed a fist to McIntosh’s jaw while clinching his jumper.
However, the on-field umpires missed the punch and the incident went unpunished.
Footy fans took to Twitter to express their outrage at the lack of repercussion for McCarthy, hitting out at the umpires.
Lincoln McCarthy could be in trouble after punching Richmond star Kamdyn McIntosh
The incident happened during a feisty first quarter between Brisbane and Richmond
Footy fans took to Twitter in outrage after the on-field umpires missed the incident
‘Right in front of the umpire who ignored it,’ one fan said.
A second said: ‘How does an umpire standing there and watching that not pay a reversal?’
‘How did the umpire miss the free kick and reversal for sure,’ another said. ‘Head high contact if the AFL wants to be consistent a week suspension too.’
A fourth fan joked: ‘Umps need to borrow Mason Cox’s specs’.
Richmond were bullied in a 81-point AFL spanking by Brisbane at the Gabba, denting their top-eight hopes.
The Lions’ contested-ball dominance and improved defensive pressure was on full display in their 20.14 (134) to 7.11 (53) triumph on Thursday night.
It was a shadow of the contest that played out when the teams met in last season’s elimination final thriller, when the Lions prevailed by just two points.
And the one-way traffic could have been even uglier for the visitors, if not for the Lions’ inaccuracy and occasional wastefulness in front of goal.
A hamstring injury for Jayden Short and the pre-game loss of Dustin Martin (illness) were enough to swallow though as the Tigers missed a chance to jump inside the top eight to begin the round.
The loss instead groups them in a large chasing pack, the manner of defeat a reality check for a side that had won three-straight games under interim coach Andrew McQualter before last round’s bye.
‘They were just far too good for us; really underwhelming performance,’ the coach said.
‘In the clinches they were tough, hunted well and we couldn’t get any momentum.
‘Things are never as good or never as bad (as they seem). That’s a bad loss, but we’ll bounce back and Brisbane, their game tonight was right up the top.’
Joe Daniher kicked five goals and Lincoln McCarthy combined three majors with 13 classy touches for the Lions.
The damage was done in the midfield though, Josh Dunkley cancelling out Tim Taranto’s impact and Hugh McCluggage and Lachie Neale (both 34 disposals) calling the shots.
