Tom Stewart is a "scrupulously fair player" who made a "horrible error", Geelong coach Chris Scott said after the Cats defender elbowed Richmond's Dion Prestia during Saturday's classic at the MCG.
Prestia was dazed and confused following the incident in the first quarter of Saturday's round 15 game at the MCG, which the Cats won by three points in a classic.
He was helped from the ground and substituted off with concussion for Ivan Soldo.
The triple premiership star had tapped a loose ball to Tigers teammate Jack Graham before Stewart came in late and struck Prestia with his elbow.
The incident is certain to attract attention from the match review officer (MRO) and Stewart could be facing a hefty suspension.
If the MRO judges the hit to be intentional with a high degree of impact, Stewart would be facing a three-game ban.
Stewart was in deep conversation with Scott during the quarter-time break, who told reporters after the game that the 29-year-old had made a "horrible error".
"I've known Tom for a long time and he is a scrupulously fair player and just a fantastic strong character, fundamental to what we do at Geelong," Scott said.
"When my time has come and gone, I'll look back and say I was honoured to coach Tom Stewart.
"When I spoke to him post-game, he said 'I've just made a horrible error and I feel terrible about it'.
"I wouldn't normally be this expansive but I thought it speaks to the man.
"He knows he's done the wrong thing.
"Was it deliberate? Of course it wasn't. He's made an error, and as people do that I admire, he's prepared to stand up and say I was wrong."
Stewart will 'pay the price'
Scott acknowledged that the Tigers suffered by losing "one of their best players" and that any punishment Stewart will face, or contrition he might feel, "doesn't help them".
"He should have some comfort in the fact that's not him and it was an error of execution and nothing more," Scott said.
"Tom's a pretty emotional guy and he was feeling it, we could see, visibly, it weighing heavily on him.
"He'll pay the price, I don't think there's much doubt about that, and you can't control what people think of you."
Stewart was roundly booed by the Tigers faithful every time he went near the ball but still played a crucial role in the Cats' thrilling three-point victory, including taking a big contested mark near Richmond's goals in the dying seconds.
If the MRO says the impact was "severe", Stewart would be sent straight to the tribunal and could be facing four weeks or more on the sidelines.
The MRO's verdict will be handed down on Sunday evening.
ABC/AAP
