'Happens every week': Patrick Dangerfield plays down contentious bump

Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield has responded to the fierce backlash over his controversial bump on Jake Kelly, during the Cats' round one loss to Adelaide.

Dangerfield says he was trying to protect himself in the collision that left Kelly concussed and with a broken nose.

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The star midfielder was charged with rough conduct and referred directly to the tribunal, with his case to be heard on Tuesday evening.

The experienced midfielder elected to bump former Crows teammate Kelly on Saturday in an incident assessed by match review officer Michael Christian as careless conduct, severe impact and high contact.

The Cats veteran came under fire from fans over the controversial incident that saw Kelly taken from the field on a stretcher and subbed out of the game under the AFL's new medical rule.

Dangerfield left his feet to bump Kelly after the Crows star had hand-passed the ball, accidentally collecting his rival in the face with his own head.

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Many viewers called for Dangerfield to be suspended over the sickening incident, but the 30-year-old defended his actions on Monday.

"It's pretty easy to review something at 30 frames per second," Dangerfield told reporters outside GMHBA Stadium.

"I think as much as you have a due diligence to look at the health and safety of others, you've got to look after yourself as well.

"It's still a collision game. I certainly appreciate that stand that looking after concussion and the head is extremely important.

"But you also have a due diligence to protect yourself when you are in an environment and a game where you can collide with others.

"That's what it is, it's a split moment to make a decision on protecting yourself with incoming opponents. That happens every week."

Dangerfield is facing a possible ban of three matches or more.

Any suspension would see the 2016 Brownlow Medal winner ruled ineligible for the game's most prestigious individual award this year.

Geelong host Brisbane at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night, with both sides reeling from shock round-one defeats.

The Cats are already without injured star Mitch Duncan (calf) and are unlikely to have boom recruit Jeremy Cameron (hamstring) available to make his club debut against the Lions.

with AAP

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