Matthews: Brennan headbutt out of character

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Former Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews says Jared Brennan's brain fade against Port Adelaide on Saturday - when he was reported for headbutting Port hardman Josh Carr - was definitely out of character for the flamboyant Lions star.

Brennan is facing a hefty suspension after being reported for misconduct in that he headbutted Carr during the final quarter of the Lions' eight-goal loss to the Power at AAMI Stadium.

The incident occurred right in front of reporting field umpire Chris Kamolins and was so severe that it split Carr's eye.

The incident could not have come at a worse time for the Lions, who dropped to sixth after the loss to Port and now find themselves just one game clear inside the top eight.

The Lions face unbeaten Geelong next week, followed by a tricky trip to Fremantle and with another tough clash against Collingwood, at the MCG, looming in Round 18.

Brennan appears certain to get at least a two-match ban while a four-match suspension would also see him miss that important clash against Collingwood.

Matthews, who coached Brennan for the first six years of his career following his electrifying debut against Collingwood in 2003, said he was surprised as anyone by the incident considering Brennan is more known for his on-field flair and skill rather than for becoming involved in physical confrontations.

"Jared is not an overtly physical character," Matthews told Channel Seven's Game Day show on Sunday.

"That (the headbutt on Carr) is a bit out of character (for Jared), just a physical show (of strength) like that."

Matthews said Brennan had obviously been sucked in by Carr, who is widely regarded as one of the AFL's most annoying players and who was a key in Port's 2004 premiership win over Brisbane, which stopped the Lions equalling Collingwood's record of four successive premierships.

"We all know Josh Carr has a great ability on other players to lose their cool, which is one of his great strengths - he is a tough little nut," Matthews said.