"Punched in the face": Lobb's nervous wait over Cox strike

Rory Lobb is staring down a potential one-week suspension after an attempted spoil resulted in an accidental punch to Mason Cox’s face.

In the final quarter of the Bulldogs’ centenary match against Collingwood at the MCG, Lobb caught the American giant flush in the face and he was unable to see out the game.

“Looks like he got a couple of stiches in his eye,” Pies coach Craig McRae said after his side claimed a thrilling 10.16 (76) to 10.10 (70) win.

“(He) didn’t come back on the ground, but I’m not too sure we’re too concerned about that, but we’ll have to monitor him in the next period.

“Looked from the vision like he got punched in the face.”

Pushed on whether Lobb should face further sanctions, McRae added: “I’m not sure, I assume so.

"Guy leaves the ground with a couple of stitches, I’m not sure. I leave it up to others to decide that.”

Later asked if Cox’s protective glasses could have caused unintended damage, McRae said: “Yeah, potentially, but he got punched in the face.”

SEN's Sam Edmund is confident Lobb has nothing to worry about.

"What they always do and what they will do it judge the intent of the player," Edmund said on *Crunch Time. *

"Are his eyes on the ball? They were for Lobb and that’s in his favour. But was the arm dangerous?

"The ball is very close, this works in Lobb’s favour and I’m not sure it’s late enough for eyebrows to be raised. I don’t think he will be offered a suspension.

"I think he will be OK."

There was heartbreak for Pies defender Reef McInnes who left the field just minutes into the clash and it has since been confirmed he has ruptured his ACL.

"It’s a confirmed ACL rupture," Edmund said.

"The on ground testing was sure as they could be subject to the scans so they’ve lost him for the season, year, 12 months.

"Your heart breaks every time."

Jack Crisp could also be reviewed by the match review officer over a sling tackle on Rhylee West. Any ban would end his incredible streak of 240 consecutive games – four behind Jim Stynes’ record.

Collingwood have a Round 3 bye meaning Cox would more than likely be fit for their next clash against Carlton.