Key Demon faces nervous MRO wait with AFL finals near after high shot

Melbourne forward Jacob van Rooyen is awaiting a decision from the match review officer (MRO) after a high contact incident involving Port Adelaide defender Aliir Aliir during Saturday night's AFL clash. The incident occurred in the second term as van Rooyen attempted to spoil an Aliir mark, with his swinging arm appearing to strike Aliir high.

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He's OK. Obviously, he's a little bit flat and a bit quiet, but Aliir is a leader. He'll find a way to get himself up.

Aliir Aliir, playing his 200th AFL game, was forced from the field by medical staff and subsequently failed his HIA (Head Injury Assessment) test. He spent the remainder of his milestone match observing from the sidelines. Despite the impact, Port Adelaide coach Josh Carr reported that Aliir was "OK," though acknowledged he was "a little bit flat and a bit quiet."

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Look, this is honest truth. I haven't looked at it closely, but my first thought of it is I can see how it happens. It obviously didn't look great, but I didn't think it was overly malice either.

Carr, who admitted he had not closely reviewed the incident, suggested it was an unfortunate occurrence rather than malicious. "I can see how it happens," Carr stated. "It obviously didn't look great, but I didn't think it was overly malice either."

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He's OK. Obviously, he's a little bit flat and a bit quiet, but Aliir is a leader. He'll find a way to get himself up.

Melbourne coach Steven King, who claimed he had "hadn't really seen" the incident, described it as "really unfortunate" for the Port Adelaide player. The incident overshadowed Melbourne's commanding 20.12 (132) to 8.8 (56) victory, which keeps the Demons in contention for a top-four finish. Melbourne will host the Western Bulldogs next weekend, needing a win to secure a top-six spot and avoid the wildcard round.

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I hadn't really seen the incident, it was really unfortunate for the player.