Collingullie-GP alleged Duncan struck star Demons midfielder Jayden Klemke with an elbow to the face in an off-the-ball incident during their game at Robertson Oval. 

Klemke left the field during the third quarter, bleeding from below his left eye after an incident behind play. 

He returned in the fourth quarter to play out the game, and a key role in Collingullie-GP’s victory against the Swans.

Both clubs were required to submit statements from witnesses.

Given contradictory evidence and the injury to Klemke, the AFL Riverina investigating officer recommended the matter go to a tribunal to determine whether Duncan has a case to answer.

“I have perused the statements… I also note that the struck player received an injury to his face resulting in a severe cut to the head,” investigating officer Peter Friedlieb found.

“The statements are completely contradictory and accordingly I find that this is a matter that should go to Tribunal for the Tribunal to determine the matter.”

A date for the tribunal is yet to be set.

While Duncan’s case arose from a club citing, and wasn’t captured on video, AFL Riverina is committed to continuing to review matches it does have vision of, including this year’s Riverina League grand final.

Demons captain Kal Sykes accepted a week’s suspension after he was reported for striking during a half-time melee at Narrandera but a match review panel is still to complete a comprehensive assessment of other incidents, which could lead to additional charges.

“As we have during the home-and-away season and the finals series, the grand final will be reviewed for any incidents that may have breached the laws of the game,” AFL Riverina operations manager Shane Buchanan said.

The league has undertaken to film a number of matches throughout the season and Buchanan says the benefits are numerous. 

“The objective of filming games is assisting with the education and coaching of umpires, and providing an opportunity for coaches to utilise the footage for the coaching of their players,” he said. 

“And the third thing is that it can be used for any incidents out of matches that may lead to potential breaches of the laws of the game.

“The match review panel can go through film of matches and if there are any breaches of the laws of the game, as the controlling body, we can down penalties as per our rules and regulations.”

Video reviews have already resulted in Farrer League suspensions for East Wagga-Kooringal’s Chris Hommes and The Rock-Yerong Creek’s Andrew Saddler.

Meantime, an incident from the reserve grade elimination final involving The Rock-Yerong Creek’s Rory Redfern is yet to go to the tribunal. The hearing has been delayed due to the unavailability of witnesses and is likely to go ahead later this month.