The Blues have seized on a brutal knock to small forward Francis Evans to take back the lead in a closely fought clash against Melbourne at the MCG.
Evans was collected across the face by the shoulder of Melbourne defender Steven May as they came at the ball from opposite directions in Carlton’s forward line. The clash left Evans with a split nose, and he was taken from the ground.
May, who appeared to have every intent to win the football, will face MRO scrutiny.
Steven May could be in real strife for this incident with Francis Evans.Credit: Fox Footy
“He didn’t lift the arm,” Fox Footy commentator Jason Dunstall said of May’s approach.
“He was desperate to go for the ball. He put the hands down for the ball, and then he probably, these days, you have to step out of the way, don’t you?”
Young Carlton forward Ashton Moir took the free-kick, nailed his fourth goal of the night and the Blues went into the last break with a 10-point lead.
Until then, the Demons had looked the better side, storming back into the match on the back of Kysaiah Pickett brilliance. He kicked two for the quarter and now has four for the match.
Evans has been ruled out of the game with concussion, and might have lost a tooth. Eddie Betts told Fox Footy: “I think Steven is going to be in trouble.”