AFL legend Matthew Lloyd has called for the league to probe West Coast youngster Reuben Ginbey over a pre-season incident.
Ginbey was the defender marking Richmond‘s No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor when the latter was injured in a marking contest during the game on Monday.
Lalor, 18, collided with the marking player after arriving to the contest late.
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But vision shows Ginbey, 20, may have pushed his teen rival into the contest.
“Has to be looked at, that incident from Ginbey on Lalor,” Essendon icon Lloyd tweeted.
“Lalor in such a vulnerable position and the ball player needs to be protected. A form of tunneling.”
Reuben Ginbey appears to shove Sam Lalor under the contest. Twitter
Lalor was attended to immediately by Richmond medical staff after the nasty collision, before walking from the field moments later.
“There is possibly a bad injury here with Lalor under the pack – that’s not what the Tigers want,” Fox Footy commentator Adam Papalia said.
“That’s heart-in-mouth stuff for Richmond fans.
“The biggest story here is that Sam Lalor has now gone off the field after that nasty collision in that marking contest.”
It has since been confirmed by the club that Lalor has suffered a fractured jaw and will undergo surgery in a bid to be cleared for round one.
Scans have confirmed that Richmond midfielder/forward Sam Lalor has sustained an undisplaced hairline fracture of his jaw following a collision late in yesterday’s match simulation,” a statement on Tuesday afternoon said.
“Lalor will have surgery to aid his recovery, with a timeline of his return to play to be clearer at a later stage. It is still hoped that he will be available for the Round 1 game.
“The 18-year-old has also entered the concussion protocols, with the Club having already ruled him out of next Wednesday’s Charity Shield clash against Collingwood.
“Richmond will monitor Lalor closely over the coming period and provide a further update on his recovery when available.”
Sam Lalor is presented his Richmond jumper by Trent Cotchin after being drafted No.1 AFL Photos via Getty Images
Lalor had already kicked multiple goals and looked to be every bit as good as his draft selection would suggest prior to his early exit from the field.
“That’s the last possible thing [anyone] wants – we’re hoping that’s not going to be a lot of time out of the game,” former Eagles player Will Schofield said.
West Coast won the three-quarter match 62-26 as both teams ramp up preparations for the season proper, which starts next month.
