GEELONG star Steve Johnson will come under scrutiny from the Match Review Panel after appearing to knee Melbourne's Nathan Jones in the chest during the second quarter of the Cats' 68-point win at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.
Johnson was playing his first game since being suspended for two matches for a high bump on Brisbane Lions backman Pearce Hanley.
Jones had the ball on the ground when Johnson made contact to his chest with his left knee.
It looked similar to the incident that cost West Coast midfielder Andrew Embley a one-match suspension for kneeing Hawthorn defender Ben Stratton in round 13.
The upside for Johnson is that Jones seemed unhurt and played out the game.
The downside for the three-time premiership player is the fact he has 70 carryover points after Geelong chose to contest his suspension for bumping Hanley at the tribunal.
Johnson's recent history of on-field indiscretions, which includes a one-match ban for punching Fremantle's Hayden Ballantyne in the midriff during the NAB Cup, is another problem.
It means that if he is cited for kneeing Jones, he could be hit with a bad record loading of a further 25 per cent.
Losing Johnson again would be a big blow for the Cats, especially after the form he showed against Melbourne.
He was best-afield in the victory over the Demons, winning a career-high 38 possessions, along with 15 clearances, eight tackles and a goal.
Geelong has a few other worries, with midfielder Allen Christensen struggling to shake off a hamstring problem.
He's unlikely to make the trip to Adelaide to play the Crows next weekend, but Cats coach Chris Scott said Mathew Stokes, who was a late withdrawal on Saturday due to groin soreness, should return.
Triple premiership players Corey Enright, who has been managing a foot problem for 18 months, and Joel Corey (concussion) should also be OK after sitting out the game against Melbourne.
Ruckman Nathan Vardy is another player who will come under considering for the clash with the Crows after being sidelined by a severe concussion he suffered in the VFL.
Andrew Mackie was subbed out of the win over the Dees in the third quarter after suffering some minor hamstring soreness, but he should be fine to face Adelaide.
"We thought it was a chance to give him a lighter workload," Scott said.
The coach was pleased with the performance of Travis Varcoe, who was making his first appearance in the AFL since suffering a serious shoulder injury in round three.
Although Varcoe managed only eight possessions, Scott said, "I think we'll see his best in better conditions, but I thought the start was promising."
