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Does Devon Smith deserve a fine for this Gaff-like hit?

Devon Smith has narrowly missed doing serious damage to Kamdyn McIntosh after a blow glanced across his opponent’s face.

The Essendon and Richmond rivals had a little scuffle coming out of a contest in the first quarter of the big game at the MCG on Friday night.

Just weeks after West Coast’s Andrew Gaff forced Andrew Brayshaw to hospital with a punch to his chin, Smith seemingly never learned a lesson.

The Bombers star wheeled around and threw his left arm out as McIntosh offered a push to the chest with his right hand.

Devon Smith could still face a fine over the near miss. Pic: Channel 7
Devon Smith could still face a fine over the near miss. Pic: Channel 7

McIntosh managed to fall forward and miss a heavy blow, with Geelong premiership captain Cameron Ling condemning Smith’s actions in commentary.

“Dev Smith would want to stop that given what happened a couple of weeks ago,” he said on Channel 7.

“He didn’t mean to do anything there but could quite easily have made contact.”

Will AFL match review officer Michael Christian see fit to fine Smith regardless of the lucky escape?

It might be the only way to make players learn.