Brownlow medal favourite Patrick Dangerfield has downplayed concerns surrounding an incident involving opponent Jarryn Geary in Geelong's three-point loss to St Kilda on Saturday night.
Eyebrows were raised after Cats star Dangerfield's knee made contact to Geary's head as Dangerfield tried to extract himself from the Saints' stopper's clutches.
Geary did not appear to suffer any ill effects, and Dangerfield said he wasn't worried about the prospect of a suspension.
Asked if the collision was a "beat-up," Dangerfield said: "From my perspective it is."
The media-savvy midfielder said he understood why the collision was a talking point, but did not appear to fear his chances of claiming the game's highest individual honour had been dashed by an incident he described as small.
Patrick Dangerfield might be in hot water following this incident. #AFLSaintsCats https://t.co/VdeDNaEM0e— AFL (@AFL) June 25, 2016
"It's hard to get up when someone's holding your leg, and from my perspective the contact was very much insufficient,' Dangerfield told Channel Nine's The Sunday Footy Show.
"You understand there's a lot of scrutiny in the game no matter what happens.
"I'm not worried about it simply because I really don't think there's anything in it."
Geelong teammate Andrew Mackie agreed.
"No trouble at all," Mackie said on Channel Seven's AFL Game Day.
Dangerfield is enjoying a brilliant season, but was shaded on Saturday night by 50-game Saint Sebastian Ross.
The former Adelaide gun thought the fifth-season midfielder was arguably the best player on the ground.
"I reckon [Ross] was very close. Jack Steven was unbelievable as well."
Ross had 33 disposals and five clearances but went goalless, while Dangerfield had 29 disposals, nine clearances and kicked one goal.
The loss left Geelong at 10-4 heading into their bye, after which the Cats face Sydney (home), Fremantle (away), Adelaide (home) and the Western Bulldogs (home).
