ADELAIDE star Rory Sloane doesn't expect to have a case to answer for the bone-jarring front-on collision that sent Geelong champion Patrick Dangerfield to the deck in Friday night's first preliminary final.
A suspension would rule Sloane out of next week's Grand Final but the tough midfielder believes it was an accidental, though brutal, clash that is simply part of the game.
The biggest, match-defining moment of the Crows' 61-point win at Adelaide Oval took place late in the second quarter when Sloane collected Dangerfield with his right shoulder and forearm.
The moment: Sloane's hit stops Danger's Cats in their tracks
"I haven't really thought about it too much. It was just a big hit, a collision," Sloane told SEN radio on Saturday morning.
"We've both pulled up pretty sore from it. I haven't really thought about it until you guys started to fill me in on the headlines and that kind of thing.
"It's something that's out of our control as well. We'll see what happens."
It would shock the football world if the Match Review Panel suspended Sloane, given the consensus of expert opinion that he didn't do anything untoward.
Channel Seven commentator and Geelong great Cameron Ling observed at the time: "Just two fierce competitors going at the footy – nothing wrong with that at all. Total commitment from both players."
No free kick was awarded and no report was made.
Former Hawthorn hard man Dermott Brereton said Dangerfield should have received a free kick for late contact but believes Sloane will be "safe as houses" for the Grand Final.
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Sloane explained that he initially ran towards Dangerfield with "a lot of speed" and had planned to tackle him, before trying to intercept his handball.
"I don't really remember too much about the collision. I just remember pulling up a bit sore last night – my face, my neck, my chest," Sloane said.
"You definitely know when you hit Paddy – he's such a strong man and just an absolute bull.
"Looking back on the footage, I hope Paddy's fine this morning. It was certainly a solid hit for both of us."
