'In real trouble': Dees forward could miss do-or-die final as club ...

Melbourne forward Jacob van Rooyen is set to be suspended for his bump on Collingwood’s Dan McStay as the Dees look to avoid exiting the finals in straight sets for a second consecutive season.

Van Rooyen collected McStay with his right elbow midway through the opening quarter, with McStay coming from the ground before being cleared to return to play in the seven-point win.

The incident could easily result in a grading of careless conduct with medium impact and high contact, which would mean van Rooyen is banned for one match.

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“Thankfully Dan McStay was able to return to the ground after passing a concussion test, I think that would’ve been a two week suspension (if he was concussed),” Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph told Fox Footy.

“I think it’s much more likely to be a medium impact, one-week suspension.

“I think there’s enough force in this incident given that he clearly goes past the ball and makes contact shoulder-to-chin.”

McStay had an impact when he returned to the field, kicking two crucial third quarter goals after dropping several easy marks and struggling for influence in the first half.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae lauded the trade recruit for his efforts in his post-match press conference.

“Dan McStay, I don’t think I’m understating this – he got a head knock, he’s fine, he’s been judged (able) to go back on the ground, wasn’t playing well … I think everyone could see that, and to be able to fight your way out of that, that’s a moment for him,” he said.

“That’s a moment of growth.”

Van Rooyen will know by Friday evening whether he has been cited by the Match Review Officer.

“He’s in real trouble, because I think it’s two-fold,” goalkicking champion Jason Dunstall told Fox Footy.

“The elbow leaves his side and he’s looking at him, so I think he knows what he’s doing. He’s trying to be aggressive, young van Rooyen, and I think he got it horribly wrong.”

North Melbourne premiership player David King agreed, adding: “Elbow to the chin – it doesn’t get much more straightforward than that. You just can’t do that. Everything in our game is legislating this out of AFL football.”

Melbourne will face the winner of Carlton and Sydney’s match.