Anthony Caminiti in hot water over brutal off-the-ball strike

Young St Kilda forward Anthony Caminiti could be in hot water after cameras picked up his ugly off-the-ball high-shot that left Collingwood's Nathan Murphy concussed. Collingwood ended St Kilda's undefeated streak with a six-point victory in AFL's Gather Round.

However, Collingwood's victory was marred when St Kilda's five-gamer Caminiti appeared to retaliate and strike Murphy. Vision shows Murphy forcefully pushing the Saint in the chest and Caminiti responding with a left.

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Murphy appeared to duck in an attempt to get out of the way, but it ended up collecting him in the head and leaving him dazed on the floor. The St Kilda star was removed from the field, but appeared to share some stern words towards his rivals as he exited the field.

However, Collingwood's coach Craig McRae confirmed backman Murphy will miss the Anzac Day clash against Essendon, who also boast four wins and a loss. "I haven't seen the incident but he has obviously been concussed somehow," McRae said in his post-match press conference.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said he would have to wait and see what happens having also missed the incident. "There's cameras everywhere. If there's an incident ... I am sure the processes will kick in," Lyon said.

Before news trickled through of Murphy's concussion, the Fox Footy panel were debating the severity of the incident. St Kilda great Leigh Montagna claimed: “Our (initial) view was very similar - he seemed to overreact Nathan Murphy, because he instigated the contact behind the ball for no real reason."

“Then Caminiti’s gone and retaliated and because Murphy dropped his body almost as a flinch reaction, he got him high.” However, North Melbourne great David King added: “I think there’s a lot to play out with that.”

The AFL world was also divided over the incident, despite Murphy's concussion. Many claimed Murphy started the incident with the first push against the younger player. Others agree that Caminiti is facing a lengthy-stint on the sideline after a blatant strike in an ugly incident.

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The match against Collingwood certainly took its toll on the table leaders. Magpie McStay was substituted in the second quarter with damage to a finger tendon which may need surgery.

The fresh injury blows came in what McRae described as a "boa constrictor type game". "It was really hard to find any space on the ground," he said.

Scores were level at quarter-time, Collingwood led by one point at half-time and by six at three quarter-time.

The Pies kicked three consecutive goals in the initial seven minutes of the last quarter, triggered by a goal from Jack Ginnivan in his first AFL game of the year after being banned pre-season for illicit drug use.

Collingwood held the 24-point buffer until the late surge by St Kilda. "We fought on right to the end," Lyon said.

"We would have stolen it, but that is what you do sometimes in this business."

with AAP

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