Rhyan Mansell appears to hit Jack Ginnivan in the head with his forearm TWICE

Richmond halfback Rhyan Mansell could find himself in hot water with the AFL’s Match Review Officer after he appeared to strike Collingwood star Jack Ginnivan in the back of his head twice.

Tempers flared at the end of the third quarter at the MCG on Saturday after Ginnivan kicked a goal to cut the Pies’ deficit to 29 and was niggled by a few Tigers players.

The confrontation escalated shortly afterward, with the Collingwood youngster again involved as the Pies looked to kick another major before three quarter time. 

As Ginnivan tried to pick up the ball, Mansell came crashing down on him from behind and appeared to hit the back of the Collingwood players with his forearm twice – first when he landed on him, then as both players were on the turf.

The incident immediately sparked a melee, with Pies stars Brody Mihocek and Brayden Maynard seeking out Mansell to dish out some retribution. 

Mansell escaped without being penalised and the umpire was heard explaining to incensed Collingwood players he could not pay a free-kick as the impact happened after the siren.

Rhyan Mansell (centre) appeared to strike Ginnivan in the back of the head with his forearm

And then smashed the Pies star again shortly afterward when the two lay on the turf 

The Richmond halfback could find himself in hot water with the Match Review Officer

Speaking on Fox Footy, Nick Riewoldt said Mansell’s hit would have resulted in two free-kicks had it happened before the buzzer.

‘Clearly you would expect if it was in general play Mansell would’ve been done for two free kicks,’ the former St Kilda great said.

‘But because it was after the siren, the umpires were powerless to do anything about it, other than potentially report the player.

Ginnivan kicked three majors as the Pies lost 113-86 to Richmond at the MCG

‘Mansell comes over the top with the one elbow, goes again a second time – which is pretty poor form.’

As has become customary for him this season, Ginnivan was in the thick of the action at the MCG and had to be pulled away by his teammates just before halftime when he appeared to fire verbal volleys towards some Richmond players.

The ANZAC Day medallist was targeted from the Tigers from the start but still found a way to kick three majors on Saturday, as the Pies lost 17.11 (113) to 12.14 (86) at the MCG in Dustin Martin’s return.