Toby Greene's finals fate hangs in the balance after the GWS linchpin was sent directly to the AFL tribunal for brushing shoulders with umpire Matt Stevic amid an on-field debate.
The incident occurred at three-quarter time during the Giants' thrilling one-point win over the Sydney Swans in Launceston on Saturday.
The result propelled the Giants into a semi-final meeting with Geelong in Perth on Friday night.
Greene is in doubt for the sudden-death showdown and may not be available again until next season, with match review officer Michael Christian charging him on Sunday with "intentional umpire contact".
AFL rules state "contact with an umpire that is aggressive, forceful, demonstrative or disrespectful will be deemed intentional and the player will be directly referred to the tribunal".
The level of force is irrelevant.
Greene cannot enter an early guilty plea. His hopes at the tribunal will, in part, hinge on evidence provided by Stevic around the nature of his interaction with the Giants player.
Fresh camera angles of the incident came to light on Sunday, ending the debate over whether Greene made contact with Stevic.
Greene has a long tribunal record, which includes a $1,950 fine eight years ago for reckless umpire contact.
He completed a one-match ban late this season for a high elbow to Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield's throat, having failed to have the striking charge thrown out on appeal.
Greene also missed the Giants' preliminary final win over Collingwood two years ago for making contact with Brisbane star Lachie Neale's eye region.
GWS could also be without injured trio Tom Green (arm), Sam Reid (hamstring) and Isaac Cumming (ankle) against Geelong.
AAP
