Demon forward sweats on MRO call after heavy hit on Power defender

Melbourne's commanding triumph over Port Adelaide has be…

Melbourne's commanding triumph over Port Adelaide has been overshadowed by a nervous wait for key forward Jacob van Rooyen, who is set to learn his fate from the match review officer following a high contact incident during the Demons' dominant 76-point victory. The incident occurred in the third quarter when van Rooyen caught Power defender Aliir Aliir with a raised arm, leaving the opponent momentarily dazed on the ground at the MCG.

Van Rooyen's connection was described as catching Aliir 'flat', with the contact made directly to the head region. The Power defender was able to continue after receiving attention from the medical staff, but the vision was enough to raise immediate questions about whether the young Demon would face a sanction. With the AFL finals rapidly approaching, any suspension would be a significant blow to Melbourne's forward structure.

The Demons were otherwise in complete control throughout

The Demons were otherwise in complete control throughout the match, running out 20.12 (132) to 8.8 (56) winners in a performance that reinforced their premiership credentials. Simon Goodwin's side dominated the contest from the opening bounce, with their pressure and ball movement proving too much for a Port Adelaide outfit that struggled to find any rhythm.

The match review officer is expected to make a determination on the incident in the coming days, with van Rooyen's availability for the final round of the home-and-away season hanging in the balance. The Demons will be hoping for a lenient outcome, as the 21-year-old has been an important part of their forward line in recent weeks.